Englehart hoping Risky Mischief can keep 2-year-old momentum going

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – When Moonachie rolled to a 10-length victory in Wednesday’s sixth race here, it marked the seventh win by a juvenile at the Saratoga meet for trainer Jeremiah Englehart.

Moonachie, a New York-bred gelding by Central Banker owned by Hall of Fame football coach Bill Parcells, ran six furlongs in 1:10.78 and earned a 72 Beyer Speed Figure.

“He was training well, I didn’t think he’d run as well as he did,” said Englehart, who may wheel Moonachie back in the Bertram F. Bongard on Sept. 20 at Belmont.

Sunday, Englehart will seek one of the biggest juvenile prizes of the Saratoga meet when he runs Risky Mischief in the Grade 1, $350,000 Spinaway Stakes for juvenile fillies at seven furlongs. Risky Mischief, a daughter of Into Mischief owned by Jeff Drown, romped to a 7 1/2-length victory here July 31.

“Risky has always been the most professional of the 2-year-olds,” Englehart said Thursday morning. “Everything I’ve asked her to do, she’s done. Coming out of that race, she’s been really good. I’m really excited for her. The works, everything she’s done, I’ve never had to ask her to run. Obviously, we’re going to have to this time, but she’s coming into the race really well.”

A field of seven was entered Thursday for the Spinaway. They include Grade 2 Adirondack 1-2 finishers Perfect Alibi and Frank’s Rockette, Shippy, Figure of Speech, Miss Peppina, and Mundaye Call.

Englehart had planned to also enter Sweet Kisses, a maiden winner here July 19, but didn’t because he doesn’t think she’s doing well mentally.

“She’s doing a couple of things on the track . . . it’s just not the right time for her,” Englehart said. “I feel like she’s telling me something’s not right.”

As for his other 2-year-old winners at this meet, Englehart is pointing Daphne Moon to the Grade 1 Frizette on Oct. 6 at Belmont; Cleon Jones to the Sleepy Hollow on Oct. 19 at Aqueduct; and My Italian Rabbi and Thea’s Theme to the Lady Finger Stakes on Sept. 9 at Finger Lakes.

“Winning with seven 2-year-olds so far, that’s been a lot of fun,” said Englehart, who typically buys horses with Travis Durr of Webb Carroll Training Center in South Carolina. “It’s rewarding for Travis and I when those horses get to prove what we think they can do on the track.”