Phoenix Thoroughbreds enjoyed a profitable, if not slightly frustrating day on Saturday, August 8.
Of four runners to carry the Dubai group’s orange and white silks in the States, Call On Mischief emerged victorious while the remaining trio all found top-three finishes.
Mike Stidham’s Into Mischief filly was impressive as she took an Allowance race at Monmouth. Paco Lopez was in the saddle as the three-year-old stumbled as she emerged from the gate. Hustled up by her rider to get a good position in the early stages of the five and a half furlong contest she travelled menacingly behind the pacesetter. The leading pair drew clear and entering the stretch the Phoenix Thoroughbreds owned runner hit the front. After a brief battle of wills, Call On Mischief pulled clear and won eased down by five lengths.
Lopez also took the ride of American Pharoah filly America’s Surprise in the following race. Jerry Hollendorfer’s trainee continued to look full of potential finishing third after suffering some interference from the eventual winner in the home stretch. The result was subject to a stewards’ enquiry.
Earlier at Saratoga, The Angry Man made it three runners-up positions on the bounce. Luis Saez was just unable to encourage Dermot Magner’s charge to pass the winner who set some modest-looking sectionals. While completing the afternoon, Irrepressible also found one the better with Corey Lanerie riding the Steve Asmussen trained runner at Ellis Park.
Much earlier in the day, Cadre Du Noir had made his second Australian start for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace. The handsome son of War Front, no doubt, found his way into several black books with an excellent run to again finish second under Ben Melham. The 2000 metre trip at Flemington looking about the colt’s minimum trip.