Coffee In Bed, Musical Mischief seek upset
At 0h43, on January 20, 2024 • By Santa Anita
Musical Mischief, trained by Michael McCarthy, and Coffee in Bed for Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella each return to dirt Saturday seeking a stakes breakthrough in the GIII La Canada going 1 1/16 miles.
Musical Mischief, the 4-1 third choice on the morning line, arrived at Santa Anita in early December after making her first four starts in the Midwest while part of McCarthy’s string in Kentucky. She broke her maiden going two turns on dirt at Indiana Downs in October and came right back to air by 11 ½ lengths in a 1 1/8-mile allowance that was taken off the turf at Churchill Downs Nov. 23.
Musical Mischief’s Santa Anita debut came on opening day Dec. 26 in the GI American Oaks at 1 ¼ miles on turf. With top rider Flavien Prat aboard, the 4-year-old Into Mischief filly pressed the pace before checking in third, 3 ¾ lengths adrift of winner Anisette.
Coffee In Bed most recently tried turf in the GIII Autum Miss here going a mile. She was rank early and some 13 lengths back after the opening half mile before showing late interest to be fifth beaten 5 ¼ lengths by winner and stablemate Ruby Nell.
“It wasn’t bad. But we know she handles dirt pretty good,” said Mandella, whose three stakes wins at the Classic Meet is tied with Mark Glatt for most by a trainer.
