Mischevious Alex, Diamond King to miss Oaklawn stakes

Trainer John Servis had hoped to ship a pair of last out stakes winners, Mischevious Alex and Diamond King, to Oaklawn Park this weekend for Saturday’s top added-money races.

“It’s not going to happen,” Servis said Monday due to protocols between Florida, where the horses are based, and Arkansas amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Gotham Stakes (G3) winner Mischevious Alex was a candidate for the $200,000 Oaklawn Stakes for 3-year-olds. Its on-the-board finishers are also guaranteed spots in the May 2 Arkansas Derby (G1).

Stymie Stakes hero Diamond King was under consideration for the $150,000 Oaklawn Mile for older horses.

“Quarantine with the horses and my help — they won’t give me a timeframe on when my assistant could come back,” Servis said. “Two weeks wasn’t even sufficient, so I just can’t do that.”

Contenders will still ship in from other locales for Oaklawn’s weekend stakes, but Servis said it complicates his process not having staff already based in Arkansas. He’ll consider minor stakes at the ongoing Spring-Summer Meet at Gulfstream Park or choose to back off in their training.

While Diamond King is an established older commodity, Mischevious Alex has in front of him a potential run further down the Derby trail; he’s also won multiple graded races around one turn.

“It’s a long summer,” Servis said. “Everybody’s healthy. That’s what’s important.”