Cyclone Mischief makes winning case to get on Ky. Derby trail
In a prep for next month's Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes, Cyclone Mischief swept to a 5 3/4-length victory in Sunday’s one-mile feature at Gulfstream Park.
The one-turn, optional-claiming allowance for 3-year-olds not only was a step toward the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull, it was an early step on the road to the Florida Derby (G1) and, in turn, Kentucky Derby 2023. Owned by Albaugh Family Stables, the son of Into Mischief “probably” will return for the Holy Bull on Feb. 4, according to trainer Dale Romans.
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“This is a real racehorse. He’s the real deal,” Romans said. “He’s one of the best I’ve had in a long time.
After the race, Cyclone Mischief shortened from 250-1 to 100-1 in Kentucky Derby futures wagering at Circa Sports in Las Vegas. He also opened at 100-1 at Caesars Sportsbook in Nevada.
The Kentucky-bred colt was ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, who picked up the mount when named rider Luis Saez took off his last two mounts after being involved in a spill in race 8. Saez subsequently was pronounced OK by his agent Kiaran McLaughlin.
Cyclone Mischief rated behind pacesetter Rudder’s Men, who set fractions of 23.28 and 45.81 seconds for the first half-mile with Mr. Ripple in close pursuit.
On the turn into the homestretch, Gaffalione sent his mount between horses as the pacesetters tired, and the Romans trainee kicked powerfully through the stretch to score an impressive victory.
“I feel terrible,” Gaffalione said. “Thankfully, Luis is OK, but we were just in the right spot. Very tremendous colt. Big, powerful individual. He broke alertly, put himself in a great spot. Kind, he listens to you, and man, he’s got some turn of foot. They told me that they had been working him behind horses. and he seemed to be really thriving with that, so that was kind of the plan.”
Litigate, who loomed boldly on the far outside entering the stretch, finished second, just a nose ahead of a re-rallying Mr. Ripple.
Cyclone Mischief ran the mile in 1:36.48.
“It was a perfect trip,” Romans said. “We wanted to see if he would sit behind, and he did.”