Asmussen has two good shots

HOT SPRINGS, Ark – Mia Mischief and Buy Sell Hold give Oaklawn leading trainer Steve Asmussen a strong hand in the track’s $150,000 Purple Martin Stakes on Saturday.

Mia Mischief could go favored in the six-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies off a runner-up finish in the $125,000 Dixie Belle in January at Oaklawn, while Buy Sell Hold is the lone opencompany stakes winner in the field by virtue of her victory in the $100,000 Kentucky Juvenile last year at Churchill Downs.

“It’s a good financial opportunity for a 3-year-old sprint filly – the Purple Martin – and to have two talented fillies for this spot, we’re very fortunate,” said Asmussen, who has won four runnings of the race, previously named the Instant Racing.

Others making up the eighthorse field for the Purple Martin include the undefeated Ms brooklyn brawler; the stakes placed Vision of Justice; the win-streaking Turbo Shaft; and the sharp Fair Grounds maiden winner Salt Bae.

PURPLE MARTIN (RACE 9) KEY CONTENDERS

Mia Mischief, by Into Mischief Last 3 Beyers: 79-90-71

◗ She made a splash last year at Keeneland, where she won a maiden special weight by 16 1/4 lengths in her second start Oct. 8. Mia Mischief later closed her 2-year-old season with a firstlevel allowance win Nov. 25 at Churchill, and the Beyer Speed Figure of 90 that she earned is the best career number in the Purple Martin.

◗ Mia Mischief made her 3-year-old debut Jan. 20 at Oaklawn, finishing second by a neck in the $125,000 Dixie Belle after going toe to toe through the entire stretch with winner Amy’s Challenge. Since that start, Mia Mischief shows a nice series of works at Oaklawn.

◗ Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount from post 6 for owners Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt.

Buy Sell Hold, by Violence Last 3 Beyers: 63-48-66

◗ She defeated males when winning the Kentucky Juvenile in her second start May 4 at Churchill. Buy Sell Hold won a maiden special weight at Keeneland in her career debut April 20.

◗ Buy Sell Hold is moving back to dirt after closing her 2-year-old season with a fifth-place finish in the Bolton Landing in her turf debut Aug. 16 at Saratoga.

◗ The third dam of Buy Sell Hold produced the multiple Grade 1 winner Lady Tak.

◗ Ramon Vazquez has the mount from post 8 for owners J. Kirk and Judy Robison.

Ms brooklyn brawler, by Into Mischief Beyers: 63-65

◗ She is the only other stakes winner in the field besides Buy Sell Hold. Ms brooklyn brawler won the Iowa Sorority, a restricted stakes at Prairie Meadows, by 12 1/4 lengths in her most recent start Aug. 12.

◗ In her only other start, Ms brooklyn brawler defeated open company in a maiden special weight July 8 at Prairie Meadows.

◗ Marlon St. Julien, who was aboard for both wins, has the mount once again for trainer Kelly Von Hemel.