Phoenix Thoroughbreds have enjoyed the red-hot form of Into Mischief this past week, with Spendthrift Farm’s stallion responsible for the Dubai based owners last two debut winners.
There is no doubt that Into Mischief is a “sire on fire” producing four maiden winners at Saratoga alone this Summer. It’s also pleasing for those connected with the son of Harlan’s Holiday his winners have come on both dirt and turf, as is the case of his Phoenix successes.
The first of those was filly Call On Mischief, who got off the mark at the first time of asking at Monmouth Park. Out of black-type winning mare Callmethesqueeze, the two-year-old not only impressed with her speed over five and a half furlongs on dirt but also with her tigerish tenacity. After setting the pace through most of the trip, she was briefly headed in the stretch before battling back to get the victory. Trainer Mike Stidham described her as being “professionalism personified”, and she looks the type her trainer does well with.
Five days later it was the turn of Fasig-Tipton breeze-up purchase Mystic Lancelot to show his speed and talent to win first time up, this time of the turf. The subject of substantial market support before the off the Todd Pletcher trained runner broke sharply but had to concede the early initiative to Aye Aye Sir who set a scorching early pace. Still sat in second around the far turn Mystic Lancelot lugged in a little at the top of the stretch, but after a bit of persuasion from jockey John Velazquez, he quickly straightened. The colt caught his pray midstretch before pulling away for a promising three-length victory, clocking a very sharp time.
These are encouraging early signs for Phoenix Thoroughbreds and their band of Into Mischief offspring, especially with more of the stallion’s progeny still to race in their White and Orange silks both in the US and Dubai.