LORD MISCHIEF (c, 2, Into Mischief–Lady Kate {SW & GISP, $420,070}, by Bernardini) snuck up the rail late on this debut and got the job done at first-asking for trainer Brad Cox at Churchill Downs.
Content to watch the race unfold from midpack as longshots set the tempo in :22.43 and a half in :45.64, the $3-million FTSAUG purchase had a wall of runners ahead of him turning for home, and weaved his way to running room via the inland route. Still with ground to make up on C R Sultan (Maximus Mischief) as that one established a tenuous lead by midstretch, but closing relentlessly, he overhauled that rival in the final yards to post a clear win. The final time was 1:10.73.
The princely-priced Lord Mischief is out of a Listed-winning and Grade I-placed mare who herself is a daughter of another graded winner. He is her second to the races but first to get his picture taken, and has a pair of half-sisters in the wings–a yearling Uncle Mo and a 2026 McKinzie. Lady Kate was bred to Nyquist for 2027.
The mare is a half-sister to three siblings who also earned graded black type and a fourth sister is the mother of MGSW Final Score (Not This Time). One of her aforementioned siblings is Irish Group-placed Bernard Shaw (Into Mischief), who is also a recent winner in Saudi Arabia.