Mischevious Alex gets first Grade 1 win in Carter Handicap

New York

Mischevious Alex remained unbeaten since moving to the barn of trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. when he rallied from a stalking position to win the Grade 1, $300,000 Carter Handicap at Aqueduct. Run at seven furlongs, the Carter is the first Grade 1 stake of the year for older male sprinters in the country.

As the 4-5 favorite, Mischevious Alex earned the first Grade 1 victory of his career when he used a powerful late move to run down the pacesetter. After the securing the lead in the stretch, the son of Into Mischief was geared down in the final 100 yards by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr to win by 5 1/2 lengths.

Mischevious Alex, who paid $3.70, completed seven furlongs in 1:23.97. He was followed across the wire by Mind Control and Souper Stonehenge.

Previously trained by John Servis, Mischevious Alex was the winner of the 2020 Gotham (G3) at the Big A on the Kentucky Derby trail. He then tried two Grade 1 sprints in New York with no luck before moving to the Joseph barn in south Florida.

This year, the new trainer made an adjustment, adding a full cup to the blinkers. He has responded with victories in an allowance and then the Gulfstream Park Sprint (G3) before shipping to New York.

“He came to Saffie’s barn in December and Saffie took it from there,” explained Chuck Zacney, the managing partner of Cash is King Stable. “He started out with two wins at six-furlongs but this was always our goal, the Carter Handicap at seven-furlongs and a Grade 1. We felt that this horse always deserved a Grade 1 and now he has it.”

With Saturday's victory, there are plenty of options for Mischevious Alex.

“Chuck has always wanted to go to the Met Mile because we want to make him [Mischevious Alex] a stallion,” said Joseph. “Winning a Grade 1 today takes a lot of pressure off. In my opinion, he wants to sprint six or seven furlongs. Can he get a mile? Yes, against the right company. But it all depends on who shows up. The Met Mile is definitely under consideration and then the two Grade 1s at Saratoga [Forego and Vanderbilt]. There's a lot of options. Hopefully, he comes out of it good and then we'll make a game plan.”