Mischevious Alex Takes Carter with No Trouble

OZONE PARK, NY – Saffie Joseph Jr.’s Mischevious Alex had no trouble in Saturday’s $300,000 Carter Handicap (G1) at Aqueduct.

Mischevious Alex rolled home under Irad Ortiz Jr. to win the Carter in impressive fashion as the 4/5 favorite.

“I broke so well and the other horse [Chateau] went, so there was some speed. I was in no hurry,” said Ortiz, Jr. “I just rode him with confidence and patience. Turning for home, I changed leads on him and he just took off.

Mind Control, Souper Stonehenge, Chateau, and Shoplifted completed the order of finish.

Mischevious Alex won his 4th career race at the stakes level including the Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes (G3) and improved his record to 12-7-1-1. The 4-year-old Into Mischief colt has now earned $614,730 for Cash is King LLC and LC Racing.

“I was a little concerned early in the race,” said Joseph. “He was a little far back and I know the track has been heavy and I didn’t know if he could make up that much ground. Obviously, he was giving Irad some feel and he rode him with a ton of confidence. He ran well but I didn’t expect him to win a Grade 1 as easy as he did. Mind Control is a Grade 1-winner and the horse on lead, Chateau, going seven-eighths might be a tad further than what he wants to go, but he has been very impressive. I have a lot of respect for the competition.”

“Chuck [of Cash is King Racing] has always wanted to go to the Met Mile because we want to make him [Mischevious Alex] a stallion,” said the trainer. “Winning a Grade 1 today takes a lot of pressure off. In my opinion, he wants to sprint six or seven furlongs. Can he get a mile? Yes, against the right company. But it all depends on who shows up. The Met Mile is definitely under consideration and then the two Grade 1s at Saratoga [Forego and Vanderbilt]. There’s a lot of options. Hopefully, he comes out of it good and then we’ll make a game plan.”

Mischevious Alex returned to $3.70, to $2.40, and to $2.10.