Mischief River opts to try the grass in Juvenile Turf

Mischief River, second in the Grade 3 Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar last month, will start on turf for his final start of the summer in Sunday’s Grade 3 Del Mar Juvenile Turf at a mile.

The $100,000 Juvenile Turf is run on the same day as the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity 2-year-olds at seven furlongs. Trainer James Glenn Jr., said on Thursday that he considered both races but opted for turf after Mischief River worked a half-mile on the surface at Del Mar on Aug. 25. Mischief River was timed in 49.20 seconds.

“He seemed to like it,” Glenn said. “It’s a way to get around two turns and hopefully a little easier competition.”

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In the Best Pal Stakes at six furlongs on Aug. 11, Mischief River chased the heavily favored pacesetter Getaway Car before losing by 5 1/4 lengths to that rival. Getaway Car will be a strong favorite to win the $300,000 Del Mar Futurity.

Mischief River, a colt by Into Mischief who races for Bow River Ranch, is part of an expected full field of 14 in the Juvenile Turf.

The Del Mar Futurity has a projected field of seven. Aside from Getaway Car, the candidates include Brother Tony, Citizen Bull, Gaming, McKinzie Street, R Heisman, and Rank.

R Heisman is also entered in Friday’s I’m Smokin Stakes for California-breds at six furlongs.

Trainer Bob Baffert, who has won the Del Mar Futurity a record 17 times, starts Citizen Bull, Gaming and Getaway Car. Citizen Bull and Gaming have started once, winning maiden races in mid-August. Getaway Car is unbeaten in two starts, beginning with a maiden race at Del Mar on July 20.

McKinzie Street, trained by Tim Yakteen, won a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar on July 28. The presence of the Baffert runners and McKinzie Street played a role in the decision to enter Mischief River in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf, Glenn said.

Sunday’s program is the final day of the Del Mar summer meeting. Los Alamitos begins a two-week meeting on Friday, Sept. 13, followed with a five-week meeting at Santa Anita that begins on Sept. 27.

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