Mighty Mischief tops Asmussen-trained exacta in Chick Lang Stakes
BALTIMORE – Mighty Mischief sped to the front in the opening stages before going on to a 1 1/4-length victory Saturday at Pimlico in the Chick Lang Stakes, giving trainer Steve Asmussen a record fifth win in the Grade 3, $200,000 race at six furlongs.
Urged to the early lead by Ricardo Santana Jr., Mighty Mischief notched a third straight open-lengths score when making his stakes debut in the Lang, which was run early on the Preakness Day card with a field of six 3-year-olds. The winner returned $5.60 as second choice when finishing in 1:09.74 over a fast track.
Mighty Mischief earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 89.
Jaxon Traveler, a second Asmussen trainee who was favored at even-money, gave futile chase to his stablemate down the stretch when 2 1/2 lengths clear of Hemp in third. The all-Asmussen exacta (2-4) paid $10.60 for $2.
Asmussen noted the Pimlico main track has tended to favor inside speed horses in recent days when saying Mighty Mischief “may have had the advantage when making the lead like he did. He’s a very nice colt and was kept to his task by Ricardo.”
Mighty Mischief, bred and owned by Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt, had raced exclusively at Oaklawn Park before this, finishing a close second in his career debut in February, then winning a March maiden race and an April allowance.
Mighty Mischief, a Kentucky-bred son of the red-hot Into Mischief, further extends the Asmussen domination of this race. His prior winners came with Lantana Mob (2008), Holy Boss (2015), Mitole (2018), and Yaupon (2020).
“We’ve been extremely fortunate to have some very nice 3-year-olds that fit this spot really well,” Asmussen said.
The $1 trifecta (2-4-3) returned $24.20, and the 10-cent superfecta (2-4-3-6) was worth $4.18.
The Chick Lang, formerly known as the Hirsch Jacobs, honors the late longtime Pimlico general manager known as “Mr. Preakness.” The race was renamed following his death in 2010.
