Shisospicy kept the flame burning hot for her third win in a row for Morplay Racing, capturing the $224,625 Mamzelle Stakes (G3T) May 10 at Churchill Downs.
Although she achieved her two prior wins in gate-to-wire fashion, jockey Jose Ortiz didn't panic when Dreamaway beat Shisospicy to the early punch in the Mamzelle. Applying pressure outside her rival, who had only finished a half-length behind her in last month's Limestone Stakes, the pair carved out a blazing opening tempo of :21.72 and :44.03. Hitting a new gear turning for home, Shisospicy kicked clear of Dreamaway and cruised unchallenged to the wire.
Favored Shisospicy ($4.80) scorched the 5 1/2 furlongs in a near-track-record time of 1:01.46 over a firm turf course. The current Churchill Downs 5 1/2-furlong turf mark was recently downed on Kentucky Oaks day by Queen Maxima when she zipped 1:01.29 in the Unbridled Sidney Stakes (G3T).
"In (Shisospicy's) last start (the Limestone Stakes, April 11) the ground was soft and today the track was a lot better for her," trainer Jose D'Angelo said. "In her last workout, I tried to relax her a little bit and close. She was able to do that today—relax and close hard. Our plan now is to go to Saratoga with her."
The June 8 Soaring Softly Stakes (G3T) at Saratoga Race Course, contested over the Mamzelle's 5 1/2-furlong turf distance, would appear the likely next target.
Kilwin, a hard-luck sixth in her season debut in the Limestone for trainer Rusty Arnold, closed willingly up the rail to grab second. Mechaya, 2 1/4 lengths behind Kilwin, closed from last in the field of 13 to nail Dreamaway at the line for third.
Since switching surfaces in February, Shisospicy has been unbeatable on the grass. Purchased for $200,000 by Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select Yearling Sale, the daughter of Mitole increased her bankroll to $415,370 with her second black-type victory.
"Our goal is always to have fun and this was a lot of fun," said Rich Mendez, the founder of Morplay Racing. "We knew after the Limestone we had a lot of confidence with her moving forward. She's run so well in all of her starts. Her performance today really solidified that."
Bred by Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt in Kentucky, Shisospicy is the second winner produced from the Into Mischief mare Mischief Galore. She is one of three graded stakes winners this year for third-crop sire Mitole, who stands the 2025 breeding season at Spendthrift Farm near Lexington for a fee of $10,000.
