Mischevious Alex still on track for Gulfstream Park Sprint

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The much-needed rain that fell here Saturday afternoon and again Monday morning put a bit of a crimp in Saffie Joseph Jr.’s training plans for Mischevious Alex, although it will not keep the horse from his scheduled start here Saturday in the Grade 3 Gulfstream Park Sprint.

Mischevious Alex, who also is nominated to Saturday’s Pelican at Tampa Bay Downs, was scheduled to have his final breeze for the six-furlong Gulfstream Sprint on Sunday. That work was postponed first to Monday and then to Tuesday, with the soggy weather seemingly over for the time being.

“It was just going to be a little maintenance breeze, three-eighths or maybe a half, so it’s not that big a deal,” Joseph said shortly after pulling the plug on the work again Monday. “He had his big work last week with Ny Traffic, and I thought he did it well, galloped out strong. He’s coming into the race in good order, and if all goes well, he should take a lot of beating.”

:: Enhance your handicapping with DRF’s Gulfstream Park Clocker Report

Mischevious Alex captured both the Grade 3 Swale and Grade 3 Gotham with trainer John Servis last year at 3. He joined Joseph’s stable late last season and was extremely impressive winning his first start since changing barns when he rallied to an easy 3 3/4-length allowance win here Jan. 10, registering a career-best 103 Beyer Speed Figure.

“He had already shown he was a very good horse when he came to the barn,” Joseph said. “We were just hoping he’d run as well for us, and his first race back was about as good as you could ask. He sat in the pocket, and once he got out, he quickly cleared nicely. We’re using this race Saturday as a building block, a stepping-stone to the Carter if all goes well.”

The Grade 1 Carter will be decided on April 3 at Aqueduct.

Joseph said the wet track Sunday and Monday forced him to postpone the next work for Ny Traffic until next weekend. Ny Traffic is nearing his return after getting a bit of a break following his eighth- and ninth-place finishes in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness to close his 3-year-old campaign.

“The work last week was primarily for Mischevious Alex,” Joseph said. “It was just the first five-eighths for Ny Traffic, so we didn’t let him gallop out. I’ll get a lot more serious with him next time. He should be ready to run after a couple of more works, although we don’t have anything in mind for him just yet.”

:: Click to learn about our DRF's Free Past Performance program.

Joseph also said he is leaning toward bringing his top 3-year-old prospect Drain the Clock back in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth here on Feb. 27, although added he would be nominated to both the Gotham at Aqueduct and Tampa Bay Derby as well.

Drain the Clock opened the year winning the Limehouse and the Grade 3 Swale stakes by a combined 13 3/4 lengths.

“Right now, I’d say the Fountain of Youth is the favorite for his next start, just because it’s here, we won’t have to ship him anywhere, and we already know he likes the track,” Joseph said.