Mitchell Road Wires My Charmer

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – A class drop proved to be the difference-maker for the heavily-favored Mitchell Road, who took the field gate to wire in Saturday’s $100,000 My Charmer Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Breaking from the rail under Jose Ortiz as the 2/5 bettors’ choice, Mitchell Road hustled up to secure front-running position over Picara, who gave up and tucked in behind the favorite heading into the clubhouse turn. Picara and Take These Chains were closest in stride early while Mitchell Road posted opening fractions of :23.37, :46.57, and 1:10.18

Heading into the far turn, Take These Chains ranged up alongside the pacesetter’s right hip and posed a serious threat as the two straightened for home. Mitchell Road’s class kicked in as she gutted it out along the rail and edged away in the late stages.

Crossing a growing 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Take These Chains at the wire, the Bill Mott-trained Mitchell Road completed the 1-mile event over the firm turf course in a final time of 1:34.10.

“The trip was perfect,” Ortiz said. “She has a lot speed and went to the lead. The main thing was to get her to relax. She relaxed very well. She was going really fast, but she has a lot of class and she kept on going.”

Take These Chains was able to save second by a neck over a fast-closing Munchkin Money, who came from near-last while running four-wide before settling for third. Na Pali Spirit took fourth over Steelin Magnolias, who took fifth over Altea by a neck.

Picara faded to seventh, a neck in front of Joy Nidera, while behind them came Beechwood Ella and Hogans Holiday to complete the order of finish.

Mitchell Road’s win was her second at the graded level, having won the Gallorette Stakes (G3) at Pimlico, and her third stakes overall to improve her record to 11-6-3-0. The 4-year-old daughter of English Channel has now earned $421,470 for co-owners E. J. M. McFadden, Jr., and Mrs. J. V. Shields, Jr. – the latter also serving as breeder.

Mitchell Road had twice faced Grade 1 foes recently and seemed to greatly appreciate Saturday’s class drop.

“I was fairly confident,” Mott said. “She’s been doing well and, with respect to all the other horses, with the races she’s been running in, this maybe would be a little bit of class relief for her because she’s coming off really tough races. She’s run against the very best. It was the spot to get her back.”

Mitchell Road returned $2.80 to win, $2.20 to place, and $2.10 to show. Take These Chains brought back $9.80 to place and $6.20 to show, while Munchkin Money paid $3.20 to show.