Mischevious Alex aims for bounce back in Grade 1 Forego

Trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. said Cash is King and LC Racing's Mischevious Alex had a good breeze back on Friday in his first timed work since an off-the-board finish in the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt on July 31 at the Spa.

The 4-year-old into Mischief bay worked a half-mile solo in 48.45 on the main track in preparation for a start in the $600,000 Forego (G1) at seven furlongs on the main track on Travers Day, Aug. 28.

"He's bounced out of the race good. We haven't seen anything to deter us running back in the Forego," Joseph, Jr. said. "He got the thumps last time pretty bad. Hopefully, that was the reason for his performance."

A multiple graded-stakes winner, Mischevious Alex has won three of five starts this year, including scores in the Gulfstream Park Sprint (G3) in February and the Carter Handicap (G1) in April at Aqueduct.

Joseph Jr. said Friday's breeze have him confidence that Mischevious Alex could return to form in the Forego.

"He went a good half by himself. Hopefully the real Alex shows up and if he does, he'll have a good chance," Joseph, Jr. said.

Slam Dunk Racing, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables and Michael Nentwig's Drain the Clock, a sophomore son of Maclean’s Music, also breezed Friday covering a half-mile in 48.83 on the main track.

Boasting a record of six wins and two seconds from nine starts, Drain the Clock bested Jackie's Warrior by a neck on June 5 at Belmont in the Woody Stephens (G1).

Last out, in the 6 1/2-furlong Amsterdam (G2), Jackie's Warrior turned the tables with a romping 7 1/4-length score over a sloppy and sealed Saratoga main track.

Joseph Jr. said he is hopeful Drain the Clock will one up his familiar foe in the $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1) on Travers Day.

"No one was beating Jackie that day. He ran dynamite. Maybe our horse didn't run his best that day but all credit to Jackie," Joseph, Jr. said. "We have no excuse. We had a good trip. The record is one and one. He's beat us once, we beat him once. We'll try again in the Allen Jerkens."

John Fanelli, Cash is King, LC Racing, Paul Braverman and Team Hanley's Ny Traffic, a 4-year-old New York-bred son of Cross Traffic, breezed a half-mile in 48 flat Sunday on the main track.

The talented colt finished second in a trio of graded events last year, including the Louisiana Derby (G2) in March at Fair Grounds, the Matt Winn (G3) in May at Churchill and the Haskell (G1) at Monmouth in July in which he finished just a nose back of Authentic.

Ny Traffic won his seasonal debut in May at Belmont by 6 3/4-lengths sprinting seven furlongs against fellow state-breds in an optional claimer and followed with a close second in the Salvator Mile (G3) in June at Monmouth.

Last out, Ny Traffic faded to fourth in the nine-furlong Monmouth Cup (G3) on July 17.

"He went good this morning. It was his first breeze back since Monmouth, I had him in 47 and 4. It was a good work back," Joseph Jr. said. "There's a possibility he could go in the Forego or the Charles Town Classic."

Joseph Jr. said Ny Traffic will breeze again next weekend before he decides on cutting back to seven furlongs for the Forego or stretching out to nine furlongs for the Charles Town Classic (G2) on Aug. 27.

Overall, Joseph, Jr. said he has been pleased with Ny Traffic's performances this season.

"He won his debut at Belmont and in his second race at Monmouth he ran second, but it was a good race," Joseph, Jr. said. "Last time he disappointed a little bit if you just look at the running lines, but the reality is that he acted up pre-race back at the barn and I think he lost his race there. It wasn't a true run."

Joseph, Jr. said e Five Racing Thoroughbreds' Gibberish will turn back to nine furlongs for the $120,000 Summer Colony on Aug. 22 at the Spa.

Last out, the 4-year-old daughter of Lea was a game second to Miss Marissa in the 10-furlong Delaware Handicap (G2) on July 10.