Into Mischief colt captures Holy Bull S. (G2) in first stakes start

Audible drew off powerfully in the final quarter-mile of Saturday’s $350,000 Holy Bull S. (G3) to win the 1 1/16-mile contest by 5 1/2-lengths.

After winning a pair of races in New York to close out his 2-year-old season, the son of Into Mischief now is considered a leading candidate on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1).

“I think the question now is do you run him two more times or one more time (before going to Churchill Downs), and we’ll let him tell us kind of how he bounces out of this,” said Audible’s trainer Todd Pletcher. “He’s a very kind horse to train, very easy on himself in the morning. I love the way he came over here and handled everything. He was perfect in the paddock, post parade, gate – all those little intangibles that really help with horses that are pointing for big days.”

Saturday was the biggest day thus far in Audible’s young career. Deftly handled by Javier Castellano, Audible was just off the lead through the first half-mile. Audible went by early leader Master Manipulator with three furlongs to run, then shook off Free Drop Billy at the top of the stretch to win very impressively.

Audible has now won three of four starts and has earned $287,720 for co-owners WinStar Farm, China Horse Club and SF Racing. He also earned 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series, which is used to determine the 20 starters in the Run for the Roses.

Audible’s sire Into Mischief was the leading worldwide sire of 3-year-olds in 2017 and already has four stakes horses this year, including the promising 3-year-old stakes-placed filly Mia Mischief.