Giant Mischief takes the Fall Highweight under Manny Franco (Chelsea Durand)
Christian Abdo/NYRA Press Office
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The Grade 1-placed Giant Mischief lived up to his post-time favoritism with a stalking score in Friday’s Listed $150,000 Fall Highweight, a six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up, at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Trained by dual Eclipse Award-winner Brad Cox, who also saddled Top Gunner to finish third, the 4-year-old Into Mischief bay entered from a pacesetting 1 3/4-length score over next-out winner Kavod in a 6 1/2-furlong optional claimer on October 12 at Keeneland. There, Giant Mischief was returning from an over 10-month layoff dating to a third in the Grade 1 Malibu last December at Santa Anita Park.
“Brad called me just before the race and he couldn’t have predicted it any better than that,” said Cox’s New York-based assistant Dustin Dugas. “He said there were two horses with some speed and that he should be laying third – it ended up just like that. The break was really good – for really the whole field, actually – but I was happy with how he broke, and he kicked on when asked.”
Piloted by Manny Franco, Giant Mischief broke alertly from the outermost post 7 and quickly assumed third position from a retreating Dean Delivers, settling behind Super Chow and the tracking Runninsonofagun through an opening quarter-mile in 22.24 seconds on the fast main track.
The Hall of Famer Joel Rosario-piloted Runninsonofagun pressured Super Chow in the turn with Giant Mischief keeping watch to their outside in a stalking third position. Super Chow held a head advantage over Runninsonofagun at the top of the lane, but the latter was soon to take over after a half-mile in 45.29.
Giant Mischief gained momentum down the center of the course with his sights set on Runninsonofagun, closing the gap as the field headed for home. Runninsonofagun gamely fought back, but Giant Mischief’s sustained rally was too much, crossing the wire three-quarter-lengths in front in a final time of 1:09.20.
It was 3 1/2 lengths back from Runninsonofagun to Top Gunner, who closed for show-honors by a head over Super Chow. Twenty Four Mamba, Baby Yoda and Dean Delivers completed the order of finish.
Downtownchalybrown and Witty, who finished fourth in Wednesday’s $75,000 Let’s Give Thanks at Parx Racing, were scratched.
“My horse broke good and I was just stalking those two horses. I was happy and comfortable where I was and with what I had under me,” said Franco. “At the quarter pole when I put my horse in the clear outside of Joel’s horse, my horse just got brave and gave me a nice acceleration.”
Franco also tipped his cap to Runninsonofagun, who entered off a successful title defense in the local Grade 3 Bold Ruler for trainer John Toscano, Jr. on October 26.
“That’s a nice horse, too. I’m running with the best horses right now. I’ve got to give credit to that horse,” said Franco.
Rosario said the dual graded stakes-winner Runninsonofagun was game in defeat as he carried a co-field high 133 pounds – five pounds higher than Giant Mischief’s 128.
“He tried really hard, he does all the time. He ran a very good race carrying 133 pounds, and he just got beat right there. He broke sharp today – nice – and he liked that,” said Rosario. “We were just sitting there and for a second I thought we were gone. The other horse came with a strong run in the end.”
Dugas added that Michael Dubb’s Top Gunner, who was fifth to Runninsonofagun last-out in the Bold Ruler, made a good run for third from far out of it.
“He was able to make that one run today,” said Dugas. “He looked like he was going to be a bit more of a threat in the turn, but he ran his race. He was just third best today. I was happy with both horses’ efforts and their performances.”
Bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, Giant Mischief, out of the dual graded stakes-winning Giant Oak mare Vertical Oak, was a $475,000 purchase at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He is campaigned by Spendthrift Farm, Stonestreet Stables, Steve Landers, Martin Schwartz, Michael Dubb, Ten Strike Racing, James Bakke, Titletown Racing Stables, Kueber Racing, Big Easy Racing, Rick Kanter and Michael Caruso.
Giant Mischief banked $82,500 in victory while improving his record to 9-5-2-1 and returning $3.80 for a $2 win bet as the post-time favorite.
Live racing resumes Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack with a 10-race card that features the Grade 3, $200,000 Comely in Race 9. First post is 11:40 a.m. Eastern.
