Mischevious Alex takes Swale geared down

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. -- On paper, Saturday’s $150,000 Swale looked like a very competitive race. In the end, it turned out to be strictly a one-horse affair after Mischevious Alex dominated the Grade 3 dash at Gulfstream Park, drawing off by a widening seven lengths over multiple stakes winner Shivaree while geared down at the end by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Untitled finishing a troubled fourth as the 7-5 favorite.

Mischevious Alex entered the seven-furlong Swale idle since winning the Parx Juvenile by 9 ¾ lengths in wire-to-wire fashion on Nov. 5 while equipped with blinkers for the first time that day. The son of Into Mischief put his abundant speed to good use again after breaking from the rail in the Swale, contesting the pace from the outset while confidently handled by Ortiz.

Mischevious Alex remained in hand while turning into the stretch with a short advantage, drew off readily when roused for the drive and after building an insurmountable lead in midstretch, was geared down by Ortiz during the closing stages.

Shivaree prompted the early running while kept outside horses, and continued willingly near the center of the course to hold off Green Light Go by a neck to finish second while never threatening the winner. Green Light Go was in some tight quarters between horses during the early going, angled inside for the stretch run but lacked the necessary response. Untitled, making his first start since being purchased privately following a resounding debut win here on Dec. 14, also fell victim to a rough trip after being jostled and knocked back shortly after the start.

Owned in partnership by Cash Is King LLC and LC Racing LLC and trained by John Servis, Mischevious Alex completed seven furlongs in 1:22.83 and paid $11.80.

“We knew the talent was there but he was very green,” said Servis. “And when we finally decided to put the blinkers on him, that’s when he got his mind on business. He acted up a little in the gate before he broke today. I was a little concerned about that, but he broke well. Irad was raving about him, said he’s push button, he just waits for you to call on him. That’s the kind of horse you need to be a good horse.”

Servis said personally he believes a one-turn mile might be best down the road for Mischevious Alex while mentioning the one-mile, Grade 2 Gotham at Aqueduct on March 7 as his next option.

Ortiz, who rode Mischevious Alex for the first time on Saturday, had nothing but praise for the promising 3-year-old.

“I got a perfect trip. He broke so sharp and just sat there and relaxed a little bit,” said Ortiz. “He was on the pace and he waited for me to call on him and he was great.

"He broke so sharp I just went with the flow. I didn’t want to rush him and I didn’t want to take him back, so I just left him where he was happy. He felt so good. He did everything right. He’s got more left in the tank, I think.”