Cox debuts colt generating Ky. Derby futures action in Vegas
Everso Mischievous, a Brad Cox-trained 3-year-old who already is taking action in a Las Vegas sportsbook’s Kentucky Derby futures pool before he makes his first start, is entered in a maiden special weight race on Saturday.
The Kentucky-bred son of Into Mischief, who is owned by Qatar Racing and is Triple Crown-nominated, is listed as the 5-2 morning line favorite in the sixth race, a six-furlong dash for sophomores that attracted a full field of 12 entrants. Estimated post time is 2:49 EST.
Everso Mischievous, who will be ridden from post nine by Manny Franco, was added this week to the futures pool at the Circa in Las Vegas, opening at 100-1 before quickly being cut to 50-1. He is not listed at Caesars, the only other Nevada casino offering Derby futures betting.
The Kentucky-bred son of Into Mischief is out of the graded-stakes winning Medaglia d’Oro mare Ever So Clever, a graduate on debut and eventual upset winner of the 2017 Fantasy (G3) at Oaklawn Park.
Everso Mischievous sold for $600,000 to China Horse Club/Gandharvi Racing at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and was then purchased by agent Fergus Galvin for $85,000 at the Keeneland Horses of Racing Age Sale.
Dustin Dugas, the New York-based assistant for Cox who oversees a string of 10 horses for the Kentucky-based trainer, told the Aqueduct press office that the colt has impressed since arriving in New York from the Churchill Downs Training Center.
“He got up here about three weeks ago,” Dugas said. “Brad's son, Blake, had him at the training center and he sent him in with nothing but good reports. He was pretty high on him and I can see why. He's a big horse. He's very leggy and the stride comes with it.”
Everso Mischievous has breezed twice over the Belmont dirt training track with Franco aboard, including a half-mile from the gate in 48.75 seconds last Friday.
“He's breezed twice here - from the pole with Manny on and from the gate with Manny - and he's been very professional,” Dugas said. “He's going into it with a good mindset. He broke really sharp here the other day with Manny, so he knows him well and I like that we have an outside post with him. He's been training really well and we really like him. I think he can ultimately go further because of his size, but I don't think three-quarters will be an issue for him.”
Cox leads all trainers with 38 Triple Crown-nominated horses, including Slip Mahoney, a recent maiden winner, who is targeting the $300,000 Gotham (G3) on March 4. The one-turn mile offers 50-20-15-10-5 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top-five finishers.