Mundaye Call sets track record in Audubon Oaks

HENDERSON, KY – Add Mundaye Call’s name to the parade of classy distaffers that have come from trainer Brad Cox’s barn.

The daughter of Into Mischief flaunted her speed and took a 16-year-old Ellis Park record down in the process when she led every point of call during a scintillating 7 ¼-length triumph in the $100,000 RUNHAPPY Audobon Oaks at the Pea Patch on Sunday.

Mundaye Call’s time for the seven-furlong Audobon Oaks, one of five stakes on the Ellis Park card, clocked in at 1:21.17 over a surface rated fast to establish a new track mark for the distance.

“Not surprised (about track record),” winning jockey Florent Geroux said. “The filly has been working extremely well in the morning. We’ve been very high on her. You never expect a track record. But we expected a big race for her today.”

After being purchased for $950,000 by owner Larry Best’s OXO Equine at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling sale, Mundaye Call joined the shedrow that has produced such top female runners as champions Monomoy Girl, Covfefe, and British Idiom. Her first try in deep waters, the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes last September, saw her come away with a seventh-place finish but she rebounded to break her maiden at Del Mar last November 16 when she wired the field going 6 ½ furlongs.

She hasn’t put a foot wrong since. Mundaye Call’s 3-year-old campaign got off to a strong start when she captured an allowance test at Keeneland on July 11 and she came into the Audubon Oaks as the one her 10 challengers would likely have to run down in the lane if they were to make a trip the winner’s circle.

It became clear Mundaye Call was on her game as she shot out of post 10 and took command of the pace under Geroux, clicking off an opening quarter-mile in :22.25 with Misty Blue tracking in second. After reaching the half-mile mark in :45.11 and entering the top of the lane, Mundaye Call ended all pretense of drama when she drew clear by about four lengths and continued on with authority in the final sixteenth-mile.

“She’s a big strong filly. Right sire. That sire is amazing,” Cox said. “We’ve had luck with Covfefe, Owendale, others. Long list of good Into Mischiefs, and she’s hopefully going to be on the list. She’s fast. She showed that today breaking the track record. She’s still lightly raced. We’re very pleased with what she was able to accomplishment today.”

Ocean Breeze was second, besting third-place finisher Sconsin by a neck. Race favorite Hello Beautiful finished last of 11.

Mundaye Call was bred in Kentucky by Three Chimneys Farm out of the Warrior’s Reward mare Reve d’Amour. She improves her overall record to three wins from five starts with $159,360 in earnings.