Daisycutter Preview: Mischiffie Steps Up to Face Rescheduled Sprint Field

DEL MAR, CA – Trainer Phil D’Amato’s Mischiffie steps back up to the stakes level in Friday’s $65,000 Daisycutter Handicap at Del Mar, which was rescheduled after Del Mar canceled last weekend’s racing action.

The Daisycutter is a 5-furlong turf sprint for fillies and mares ages 3 and up. This year’s edition attracted a field of nine and has a local post time of 6:09 PM Pacific while being the ninth event on Friday’s 11-race card.

Here is a look at the full field for the Daisycutter:

1. Lighthouse 10/1 – She has done almost nothing wrong when going short on the lawn, compiling a record of 4-2-1-1 in turf sprints. She returned from a three-month layoff to defeat optional claiming rivals at Santa Anita Park on May 29 and retains the riding services of Drayden Van Dyke, who won the 2018 Del Mar summer meet’s riding title.

2. Tomlin 8/1 – She won the 2018 Golden Gate Debutante Stakes on synthetic to end her juvenile campaign but failed to find similar success last year. She appears back on track in 2020, and she most recently wired the 5-furlong Camilla Urso Stakes over the Golden Gate Fields lawn after setting extremely quick early fractions.

3. Stealthediamonds 5/2 – The speedy filly enters this race red-hot, winning the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint Stakes in January before just missing in the Sensational Star Stakes (against the boys) and the Monrovia Stakes (G2). She has a record of 4-2-1-1 since trainer Mike Puype claimed her for $80k last fall, and veteran journeyman Agapito Delgadillo – aboard for all 4 of those starts – will pilot her once more.

4. Mischiffie 12/1 – A career-best effort earned her a gate-to-wire victory in a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint at Santa Anita Park against optional claiming rivals last time out. That was her first time running on the front end after coming from behind in her prior efforts, so jockey Ruben Fuentes should have plenty of options as he rides for the third straight time.

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5. Mucho Amor 15/1 – She broke her maiden on debut at Keeneland as a fresh-faced 2-year-old, as most all Wesley Ward trainees do, then won twice as a 3-year-old for trainer Blaine Wright, including the Seattle Stakes at Emerald Downs. Despite steadying halfway home, she was a hard-charging third in the Camilla Urso Stakes in her turf debut, so with a cleaner trip, expect her to come flying late.

6. Jo Jo Air 7/2 – She has 3 turf sprint victories to her name, including last year’s William Walker Stakes at Churchill Downs against the boys. She has yet to find the winner’s circle in 3 turf sprints this year, but she gains the circuit’s top jockey, Flavien Prat, and should get first run at the pacesetters.

7. Storming Lady 8/1 – She crossed the wire first in 2 of her first 3 starts this year (though she was once disqualified for interference) while sprinting over the Santa Anita Park lawn. She returned from a three-month layoff with a flat effort in the Camilla Urso Stakes but should improve in her second start off the bench.

8. Surrender Now 9/2 – The versatile mare has won sprinting on dirt and turf and was a head away from taking the Kentucky Downs Preview Ladies Sprint Stakes at Ellis Park last August. She takes a class drop here after running over her head in the San Simeon Stakes (G3) (against the boys) and the Monrovia Stakes (G2).

9. Artistic Diva 8/1 – The lightly-raced 5-year-old Munnings mare won her only turf effort while making her career debut over this course and distance in 2017. She struggled to stay healthy, only making 4 starts in her first 3 years of racing, but she finally appears to be on track and brings a significant pace presence to the field.