You will forgive the connections of Everso naughty If they had awakened the memory of their foal’s last trip to Aqueduct Racetrack from their memory banks.
Considered a 5-2 favorite in the December 2 Cigar Mile Handicap (G2), the son of Qatar Racing Into mischief settled at five-eighths and dropped to 11th in the 12th group.
After an impressive debut in 2024, the 4-year-old will look for better luck and racing results when he returns to the Big A and faces four opponents in the $200,000 John A. Nerud Stakes (G2) on July 6.
Making his first start since the Cigar Mile, the Brad Cox-trained Everso Mischievous won by 1 1/4 lengths in a mile optional race on May 31 at Churchill Downs. His fifth win in eight career starts returned him to the winning ways he enjoyed when he won the Forty Niner Stakes (G2) on October 28 at Aqueduct in his previous outing for Cigar and his graded tournament debut.
Unlike Cigar, which attracted all 12 entrants, the seven-furlong Nerud attracted just five, increasing the chances of Everso Mischievous once again being sent out as the favorite. In his eight career starts, the son of Gold medal mare so smart has been considered a betting favorite seven times.
The horse was purchased for $85,000 from the Highgate Sales consignment at the 2022 Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age auction after selling for $600,000 from breeder Clearsky Farms consignment at the 2021 Keeneland September yearling auction.
The minor field also includes LC Racing Ninety percentmaddie who was dealing with a second case of arthritis. Coached by Butch Reid, a Pennsylvanian Weigelia This gelding has finished second in his last four starts.
Most recently he was runner-up to the winner. Baby Yoda on June 8 in the True North Stakes (G2) Saratoga Race TrackPrior to that, he finished second in the Runhappy Stakes (G3), Page McKenney Handicap and City of Laurel Stakes.
He also participates in the Alapocas Run Stakes on Saturday at Delaware Park.
of Godolphin Popularity also finished second in his most recent start, the Maryland Sprint Stakes (G3) at Pimlico Race Track.
A son of Medaglia d’Oro trained by Brendan Walsh, the 6-year-old gelding won by a decisive 6 1/2 lengths in the exempt horse race on April 6 at Keeneland in his previous start.
Owner/Trainer Jeff Runco’s Coastal Mission is another member of the “Runner-Up Club” with a second place in the Salvator Mile Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park in his most recent start. He had previously finished fourth in the six-furlong Maryland Sprint.
Dog Breeds Raised in West Virginia Great Idea The gelding won 12 of his 21 starts for $691,653 in prize money.
WinStar Farms and Siena Farms What is Mullikin? returned to stakes for the first time since finishing second in the Maxfield Overnight Stakes at Ellis Park a little over a year ago
The son of Violence trained by Rodolphe Brisset has a pair of wins at Kentucky in two starts in 2024 after a nine-month layoff.
Item: John A. Nerud S. (G2)
Belmont at Big ASaturday, July 6, 2024, Race 8
- Level II
- 7 minutes
- Dust
- $200,000
- 4 years and up
- 4:11 PM (local time)
