Mischief Clem wins California Cup Derby in photo finish (The Associated Press)
Mischief Clem outdueled Pulmarack by a head to win the $250,000 California Cup Derby for 3-year-olds in a photo finish Saturday at Santa Anita, highlighting five races for California-bred or sired horses worth $1 million in purses. Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, 11-1 long shot Mischief Clem ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.82 and paid $25.60, $9.60 and $13.40. I was able to ride him off my finger tips and he was just the consummate professional.” California Chrome won last year’s Cal Cup Derby before going on to victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness and being named Horse of the Year. Sent off at 7-2 odds, Tough Sunday was second at the half-mile pole before fading under Tyler Baze.