Into Mischief’s Highly Motivated wins stakes debut in track-record time
November 7, 2020
Highly Motivated sets a track record in Keeneland’s Nyquist S. – Coady photography
Highly Motivated made a success leap from breaking his maiden to record-setting stakes winner with a 4 ¼-length victory in the $125,000 Nyquist S. Friday at Keeneland.
The 2-year-old colt is Into Mischief’s 26th stakes winner this year and pushed his progeny earnings past the $15.1 million mark, easily the most for any stallion this year.
Highly Motivated, under Javier Castellano, got a stalking trip along the rail until the top of the stretch, when he swung three-wide and went by the pacesetters to win going away. The final time of 1:14.99 lowered the 6 ½-furlong track record by 0.06 seconds.
Out of the Warrior’s Reward mare Strong Incentive, Highly Motivated was purchased as a weanling at the 2018 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale for $240,000. He is owned and bred by Klaravich Stables.