When it comes to scheduling races for Naughty magic The 4-year-old colt’s connections have the luxury of being able to search around to find options that best suit his son. Cross And Excel . During his 14-race career, Godolphin has traveled to eight different tracks around the globe, from England to Dubai, Qatar to North America.
On May 4, Mischief Magic will add a ninth location to his CV as he ventures into Churchill Downs against a field of 13 others in the $600,000 Twin Spiers Turf Sprint Stakes (G2T) on the Kentucky Derby (G1) undercard.
Although he has only started twice in the US, Mischief Magic has left a strong impression every time he crosses the ocean. Cadet Charlie Appleby won the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T) at Keeneland in his North American debut, made a memorable rally from last place in the 12-horse field to take the lead.
When he returned to the United States for his most recent start in the Shakertown Stakes (G2T), also at Keeneland, he again attempted his signature kick but came up short. Arzak in the 5 1/2 test that day.
“He ran that race brilliantly, he trained really well,” said Chris Connet, Appleby’s assistant. “We thought he ran a very strong race last time and unfortunately the gap didn’t open up for him like we hoped at Shakertown. But he’s a really high quality horse. He’s never going to be a horse that jumps and really runs early but he’ll definitely finish.”
Mischief Magic recorded his biggest win since his Breeders’ Cup championship when he took the Dubai Sprint at Meydan Racecourse by three-quarters of a length on February 2. That effort was over six furlongs, but the Turf Sprint’s 5 1/2 furlongs may be better suited to giving the colt the speed he needs.
“He’s pretty versatile,” Connet said. “I think going from 6 to 5 1/2, they’re going to come up nice and tough and hopefully we’ll get them down at the end. It’s a very nice, little animal.” It’s not too big, but it can definitely run pretty fast.”
Mischief Magic will have Frankie Dettori in the irons in the Turf Sprint at No. 8 and deliver a record six wins from 14 starts with earnings of $811,802. Connet added that with everything going as expected this weekend, the colt could be on the way Saratoga Race Course with Appleby’s chain there.
Among the Naughty Magicians who will have to run the gauntlet is the trained Phil D’Amato motorbike , 7-2 pick at the morning line. The muhaarar The gelding will make his first start since finishing fifth as the favorite in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1T).
Motorious has two previous points victories, including one in the five-furlong Green Flash Handicap (G3T) by a score of Del Mar last September and placed second in the 2023 Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs.
Item: Twin Spiers Turf Sprint S. presented by Sentient Jet (G2T)
Churchill DownsSaturday, May 4, 2024, Stage 5
- IIT class
- 5 1/2f
- Pitch
- 600,000 USD
- 3 years old and up
- 12:36 pm (local)
