Mischevious Alex kicks off fantastic day for Into Mischief

Mischevious Alex won his third straight stakes start on Saturday with a gritty, two-length victory in the $300,000 Gotham S. (G3) at Aqueduct, earning the 3-year-old colt 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) challenge and virtually assuring himself a spot in the May 2 Run for the Roses.

Saturday was an incredible day for Into Mischief, whose progeny now have 11 stakes winners and 13 stakes wins this year. Later in the day, the undefeated 3-year-old Authentic easily won the San Felipe S. (G2) for Bob Baffert, who also unveiled another potential star by Into Mischief when the 3-year-old filly Gamine was named a TDN ‘Rising Star’ after a superlative debut maiden special weight win.

But the day started with Mischevious Alex’s determined win in the one-mile Gotham. After winning the seven-furlong Swale S. (G3) by seven lengths, trainer John Servis pointed at the Gotham. In between horses as he battled for the lead early on, Mischevious Alex emerged with the lead at the half-way point, and gradually widened his margin all the way to the finish.

“He handled the next step up really well and gave us a solid effort today. We’ll see how he comes out of this and Chuck [Zacney, Cash is King] and the other partners and I will discuss what’s next. Ever since we put the blinkers on him, everything that we’ve handed him, he has handled very well,” said Servis. “We’ll discuss [the 1 1/8-mile GII Wood Memorial Apr. 4], but as long as he comes out of it well, I think it’s worth taking a shot.”

Prior to the Swale, Mischevious Alex won the Parx Juvenile by nearly 10 lengths. His only off-the-board finish in seven starts is his lone turf effort. Owned by L C Racing along with Cash Is King, the bay colt has earned $344,230.