Atone is Into Mischief’s first Grade 1 winner of 2023

Into Mischief got his first Grade 1 winner of the year and 14^th lifetime on Saturday afternoon at Gulfstream Park when Atone stormed down the stretch to win the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Inv. (G1) by three-quarters of a length.

The Pegasus win Into Mischief got his first Grade 1 winner of the year and 14^th lifetime on Saturday afternoon at Gulfstream Park when Atone stormed down the stretch to winwas a breakthrough race for the 6-year-old, who had placed in four graded stakes, as well as being beaten less than two lengths in this race last year, prior to Saturday.

Atone normally shows gate speed in his races, but with others intent for the lead, he settled nicely along the rail about four lengths from the front rounding the first turn. Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. held his position for the next six furlongs, patiently waiting until turning for home.

At that point, Ortiz swung Atone three-wide for clear running, and the bay responded immediately, running down Ivar inside the final furlong to get the 1 1/8-miles in 1:46.19 on a firm turf.

“I’ve been bragging on the horse for a while and he finally backs me up today. Since we’ve had him he’s been a cool horse and he’s trained fabulously,” trainer Mike Maker said. “He was a hard-luck horse last year. He’s always been right there, and today was his day.”

Atone races in the colors of Three Diamonds Farm and became racing’s newest millionaire, upping his earnings to $1,179,146 with a record of 7-4-4 in 23 starts.

Maker indicated that the Turf Classic (G1) on Kentucky Derby day at Churchill Downs could be the next target.

Atone was bred by Godolphin and sold to his owner for $130,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July Horses of Racing Age sale.