Sunday, October 11, 2026
Pegasus World Cup slated for Jan. 30 . . .
    HALLANDALE BEACH - Gulfstream Park’s 2026-2027 Championship Meet will offer a winter schedule of 66 stakes – 27 graded – and will be highlighted by the 11th running of Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) and Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) presented by EquiTrack Jan. 30, and the 76th running of the EquiTrack Florida Derby (G1) March 27.

    The Championship Meet, the winter home of Thoroughbred racing’s most accomplished horses, trainers and jockeys, will begin Thanksgiving Day, November 26 and run through March 28.

    The Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series has welcomed legendary Thoroughbred racehorses including Arrogate (Longines 2016 World’s Best Racehorse and inaugural 2017 Pegasus World Cup Invitational winner), two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome, and Horses of the Year Gun Runner, Knicks Go and Bricks and Mortar; Preakness (G1) winner National Treasure; Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) winner City of Light and Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan. Six of the 10 previous Pegasus World Cup Invitational winners have also won Breeders’ Cup races. Meanwhile, the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational has welcomed horses from Japan, Ireland, the United Kingdom, South America and South Africa.

    The final purses of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational, Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational and Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf Invitational (G2) will be announced shortly.

    “We are finalizing the purse structure for the 2027 Pegasus World Cup and evaluating a few opportunities around the event that could impact the final purse,” said Mike Rogers, Executive Vice President of 1/ST Racing. “Rather than delay the release of the overall Gulfstream Park stakes schedule, we felt it was better to publish the schedule now and list the Pegasus purses as to-be-determined. We expect to announce the final purses shortly.”

    Prep races for Pegasus Day will take place Dec. 26 with the $200,000 Fort Lauderdale (G3), $150,000 Harlan’s Holiday (G3) and $150,000 Suwannee River. The $150,000 Mucho Macho Man for 2-year-olds and the $150,000 Ginger Bew for 2-year-old fillies will also be featured.

    The $1 million EquiTrack Florida Derby, which has produced four of the last 11 Kentucky Derby winners and a total of 26 overall winners, will be part of Gulfstream’s popular 3-year-old series that includes the Jan. 23 Holy Bull (G3) and the Feb. 27 Fountain of Youth (G2). Holy Bull Day will offer five stakes, two graded, with purses totaling $850,000. Fountain of Youth Day will offer nine stakes, eight graded, with total purses of $1.8 million while the Florida Derby will be one of 10 stakes, five graded, with total purses of $2.45 million.

    Gulfstream will also offer 3-year-old fillies a road to the Kentucky Oaks (G1) with the Forward Gal (G3) Jan. 23, Davona Dale (G2) Feb. 27, and Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) March 27.

    Some of the best turf horses in North America will once again be showcased over Gulfstream’s course. Along with the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Turf and Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf Invitational, turf races on Pegasus Day include the W.L. McKnight (G3), Christophe Clement (G3), and Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint.

    There will be six turf stakes – five graded – on Fountain of Youth Day. They are the Mac Diarmida (G2), Canadian Turf (G3), Honey Fox (G3), The Very One (G3), Herecomesthebride (G3) and Colonel Liam.

    Florida Derby Day will also feature six turf stakes. They are the Pan American (G3), Orchid (G3), Appleton, Sand Springs, Sanibel Island and Cutler Bay.

    Opening Day of the Championship Meet will also feature two turf stakes for juveniles – the $100,000 Wait a While for fillies and the $100,000 Pulpit. Both will be run at 7 1/2 furlongs.

MEET HIGHLIGHTS                

Nov. 26: Opening Day

$100,000 Wait a While, 2-year-old fillies on turf

$100,000 Pulpit, 2-year-olds on turf

(both races 7 ½ furlongs)

Nov. 28

$200,000 Aventura, 2-year-olds

$200,000 Hallandale Beach, 2-year-old fillies

(both races at a mile, dirt)

Dec. 12

$125,000 Tropical Park Derby, 3-year-olds

$125,000 Tropical Park Oaks, 3-year-old fillies

(both races 1 1/16 miles, turf)

Dec. 26: Pegasus Preview Day

$200,000 Fort Lauderdale (G3), 3-year-olds and up, 1 1/8 miles, turf

$150,000 Harlan’s Holiday (G3), 3-year-olds and up, 1 1/16 miles, dirt

$150,000 Suwannee River, 3-year-olds and up, F&M, one mile, turf

$150,000 Mucho Macho Man, 2-year-olds, one mile, dirt

Dec. 27

$150,000 Ginger Brew, 2-year-old fillies, one mile, turf

Jan. 1

$125,000 Rampart, 4-year-olds and up, F&M, one mile, dirt

$125,000 Abundantia, 4-year-olds and up, F&M, five furlongs, turf

Jan. 2

$150,000 Mr. Prospector (G3), 4-year-olds and up, seven furlongs, dirt

Jan. 23: Holy Bull Day

$250,000 Holy Bull (G3), 3-year-olds, 1 1/16-mile, dirt

$150,000 Forward Gal (G3), 3-year-old fillies, seven furlongs, dirt

$150,000 Kitten’s Joy, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16-mile, turf

$150,000 Sweetest Chant, 3-year-old fillies, 1 1/16-mile, turf

$150,000 Swale, 3-year-olds, seven furlongs, dirt

Jan. 30: Pegasus World Cup Day

Ten stakes including:

Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), 4-year-olds and up, 1 1/8miles, dirt

Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1), 4-year-olds and up, 1 1/8 miles, turf

Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Invitational (G2), 4-year-olds and up, F&M, 1 1/16 miles turf

          $200,000 Inside Information (G2), 4-year-olds and up, F&M, seven furlongs, dirt

          $200,000 W.L. McKnight (G3), 4-year-olds and up, 1 ½ miles, turf

          $150,000 Christophe Clement 4-year-olds and up, F&M, 1 ½ miles, turf

          $150,000 Fred Hooper (G3), 4-year-olds and up, one mile, dirt

          Feb. 13

          $150,000 Royal Delta (G3), 4-year-olds and up, F&M, 1 1/16 miles, dirt

          Feb. 27: Fountain of Youth Day

          Nine stakes races including:

          $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2), 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles, dirt

          $200,000 Davona Dale (G2), 3-year-old fillies, one mile, dirt

          $200,000 Gulfstream Park Mile (G2), 4-year-olds and up, one mile, dirt

          $200,000 Mac Diarmida (G2), 4-year-olds and up, 1 3/8 miles, turf

          $150,000 Canadian Turf (G3), 4-year-olds and up, 1 1/16 miles, turf

          $150,000 Honey Fox (G3), 4-year-olds and up, F&M, one mile, turf

          $150,000 The Very One (G3), 4-year-olds and up, F&M, 1 3/8 miles, turf

          $175,000 Herecomesthebride (G3), 3-year-old fillies, one mile, turf

          March 6

          $150,000 Hurricane Bertie (G3), 4-year-olds and up, F&M, 6 ½ furlongs, dirt

          March 20

          $100,000 Texas Glitter, 3-year-olds, five furlongs, turf

          $100,000 Melody of Colors, 3-year-old fillies, five furlongs, turf

          March 27: Florida Derby Day

          Ten stakes races including:

          $1 million Florida Derby (G1), 3-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles, dirt

          $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2), 3-year-old fillies, 1 1/16 miles, dirt

          $150,000 Pan American (G3), 4-year-olds and up, 1 ½ mile, turf

          $150,000 Orchid (G3), 4-year-olds and up, F&M, 1 ½ mile, turf

          $150,000 Ghostzapper (G3), 4-year-olds and up, 1 1/16-mile, dirt

          $150,000 Appleton, 4-year-olds and up, 1 1/16-mile, turf

          $150,000 Sand Springs, 4-year-olds and up, F&M, 1 1/16-mile, turf

          $150,000 Sanibel Island, 3-year-old fillies, 7 ½ furlongs, turf

          $150,000 Cutler Bay, 3-year-olds, 7 ½ furlongs, turf
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Overall gross tops $6.7 million . . .
    Fueled by the appeal and aptitude of Florida-based connections, the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. wrapped up the 2026 edition of its October Yearling Sale with gains in average and median as the two-day exercise concluded.

    Despite mother nature being less than welcoming with rainy conditions drenching the sale grounds both Tuesday and Wednesday, the buying base persevered in producing results that highlighted added strength in the middle and lower sections of the market. With 42 fewer horses sold and 69 fewer horses catalogued, the overall gross of $6,775,500 generated by 267 head was down from the $7,509,700 produced in 2025 when a total of 309 horses changed hands. At the close of business Wednesday, the average came in at $25,376 compared to $24,303 in 2025 while the median improved from $15,000 last year to $17,000 this sale.

    The rate of horses not sold for the sale came in at 26.2 percent compared to 25.5 percent in 2025.

    A commonality linking both October sessions was the fact they were highlighted by those carrying the banner for one of Florida’s signature industries. The sale’s highest priced offering came on Tuesday when Hip 12, a homebred filly by Girvin consigned by Ocala-based Glen Hill Farm, sold for $190,000 to agent Marette Farrell on behalf of CJ Thoroughbreds. On Wednesday, Florida-bred Pappacap had his turn in the spotlight as Hip 339, a bay colt by the Walmac stallion, topped the session when he sold to trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. for $140,000.

    Bred and consigned by Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck’s Summerfield, the Pappacap colt ended up as the sale’s second highest priced offering and added to the appeal of his first-crop sire. Tuesday’s session saw Hip 120, another bay colt by Pappacap, bring the sale’s third-highest overall price when he sold for $120,000 to Willow Creek Ranch, and Joseph pointed to the stallion stamping his offspring with top physical attributes as a reason behind his decision to stretch for the newest member of his stable.

    “Obviously Pappacap was precocious. He won at Del Mar (the Best Pal) and was second in the Juvenile and then he carried on to run in the Florida Derby against (Joseph trainee and OBS graduate) White Abarrio, so we’re very familiar with the horse,” said Joseph, who led all buyers for the October Sale with 12 head purchased for $522,000.  “He was a solid horse, and you feel like he’ll make a stallion. We’re banking on it because we’ve bought a lot of them. We bought them because to the eye, they fit the look that we want.

    “This colt is the most expensive one I’ve bought this sale,” Joseph continued. “We liked him a lot…and obviously there was competition to get him. It was deservedly so because this horse is a really nice horse, very smooth with the way he carried himself. It seems like he’s going to continue to get better.”

    The Pappacap colt is out of the winning Uncaptured mare Bosworthy, a half sister to stakes winner and producer It’s High Time and multiple stakes winner Let Them Watch, an OBS October graduate.

    “We knew that people liked him but you never know what people are going to pay. Obviously, we’re very happy with what he brought,” Francis Vanlangendonck said. “There were a lot of people interested in him and he looked just like his mother, and she could really run. We were going to sell him as a weanling but decided to wait and put him here, hoping he would stand out and that they would like the Pappacaps.

    “I did the breeding (for Pappacap)…so we were very involved with him, went to all his races with his owners. But people really like Pappacaps because they’re all really athletic. This colt brought more than we thought, which is fabulous. We’re thrilled.”

    The session’s second-highest priced horse was another product of the stellar Glen Hill Farm breeding program. Hip 311, a bay filly by Oscar Performance out of the Candy Ride (ARG) mare Aspening, sold to owner Gary Barber for $100,000.

    The Oscar Performance filly is a half sister to stakes winner and graded stakes placed Aspenite and hails from the female family of Glen Hill’s graded stakes winners Diversy Harbor, Keertana, and Snow Top Mountain.

    “It’s a good family. I thought she was a nice horse. (Trainer) Mark Casse saw her for the first time today and loved her,” said Craig Bernick, president of Glen Hill Farm. “I told a few people the reserve was $100,000 and (Casse) bought her. I would have thought she would have made more but the main thing is she’s going to a very good trainer and a very good owner. We still have the mother; we have the sister and a lot of the family. They made a good buy and she’s going to a good person.”

    In addition to being responsible for the session topper, Pappacap had the day’s third-highest price horse when Hip 272, a bay colt by the stallion, sold to NdM Bloodstock for $80,000. Consigned by Potrero Stables, the colt is out of the winning Unbridled’s Song mare True Love Is Yare and is from the female family of Grade 1 winner and producer Tranquility Lake.

    For Wednesday’s session, the gross receipts of $3,093,500 from 129 head sold was slightly down compared to the 149 sold for $3,947,100 during last year’s corresponding session. The session average came in at $23,981 compared to $26,491 in 2025 with a median of $15,000 compared to $19,000 last year.

    Lisa McGreevy’s Abbie Road Farm led all consignors by gross for the October sale with 42 head sold for $816,500.
Sunday, October 4, 2026
Hits Rainbow 6 by himself . . .

    HALLANDALE BEACH - The 20-cent Rainbow 6 was solved by one lucky bettor for a $90,495.60 jackpot payoff Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Geaux Amy ($6.20), one of four horses live to take down the jackpot entering the Race 10 finale, rallied up the rail to edge 14-1 longshot Junegenai and compete the winning 8-2-7-9-5-2 combination.

    Other winners in the sequence were Lady of City ($78.80) in Race 5; Lindsay Smiles ($14) in Race 6; Stick Talk ($4.60) in Race 7, the $75,000 Palm Bay overnight handicap; Neat ($7.40) in Race 8, the $65,000 Miami Mile overnight handicap; and Degree of Risk ($8.40) in Race 9.

    There will be a Players Pick 8 carryover today of $8,945.47.

    The Rainbow 6 begins anew today, spanning Races 4-9, starting with a claiming event for 3-year-olds and up sprinting 5 ½ furlongs on the main track. The 4-year-old Adios Mate seeks his first win this year and third overall after finishing second four times in six prior starts.

    Qatar Racing and Soldi Stable’s 4-year-old gelding Gabaldon is the 5-2 program favorite in Race 5, a starter optional claimer for 3-year-olds and up scheduled for five furlongs on the grass. Entered for a $50,000 tag, Gabaldon won the 2024 Royal Palm Juvenile at Gulfstream in debut and ran second in that summer’s Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot second time out.

    Since then, Gabaldon has won one of seven starts, an optional claimer on Gulfstream’s all-weather Tapeta course Dec. 11. In his two races this year, he was fifth in a similar spot on the grass at Tampa Bay Downs in January and last out was second by a half-length in an optional claimer Aug. 16 on the Del Mar turf. Among his rivals are Jose D’Angelo-trained stablemate Fulanito and stakes winners Xy Speed and Eamonn.

    The $1 Sunset Six begins with Gulfstream’s Race 8 (4:13 p.m. post) and continues with Race 2 at Santa Anita and Race 9 at Gulfstream before wrapping up with Santa Anita’s Race 4, the $100,000 Zuma Beach (G3) for 2-year-olds, and Race 6, the $100,000 Surfer Girl (G3) for 2-year-old fillies, both on turf.

    Notes: Jockey Edwin Gonzalez swept the day’s stakes on Stick Talk ($4.60) in the $75,000 Palm Bay overnight handicap and Neat ($7.40) in the $65,000 Miami Mile overnight handicap, and completed his hat trick on Geaux Amy ($6.20) in Race 10 … Lindsay Smiles and Geaux Amy are each trained by Joe Orseno … Jockey Miguel Vasquez doubled with Accelerate Me ($20.60) in Race 3 and Lindsay Smiles ($14) in Race 6 … Both Stick Talk and Noble Sky ($6) in Race 4 are trained by Carlos David.

Monday, September 28, 2026
Wins Gr.I Goodwood at Santa Anita . . .

    C2 Racing Stable, Mathis Stables, and TCC Stables’ Forged Steel (Vekoma-Scorecard, by Tale of the Cat) made a triumphant return to Santa Anita Park, winning the Gr. 1, $300,000 Goodwood Stakes going 1 1/8 miles, leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.

    Forged Steel took command entering the second turn and won by 1 ¼ lengths over stablemate and fellow OBS graduate Caldera to earn a fees-paid berth to the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Oct. 31 at Keeneland Race Course. 

    “It’s very satisfying to win this race,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. “This victory is so good for the horse and for (jockey) Edwin (Gonzalez). Edwin gave him a great ride, and this was a tremendous effort.”

    Forged Steel was purchased by C2 Racing Stable for $190,000 at the 2024 OBS March Sale from the de Meric Sales consignment after breezing in :10 flat.

    Also at Santa Anita Park, Kretz Racing’s Cabo Spirit (Pioneerof the Nile-Fancy Day (IRE), by Shamardal) set the pace and fend off a late charge from fellow OBS graduate El Potente to win the Gr. II, $200,000 City of Hope Mile by a head and secure a berth to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile.

    Trained by George Papaprodromou, Cabo Spirit notched his sixth graded stakes win and seventh stakes victory overall in 45 starts. It pushed his earnings to more than $1.5 million. Cabo Spirit was consigned to the 2021 OBS April Sale by Eddie Woods and purchased for $575,000 by Gayle Van Leer, agent, after breezing a quarter in :20 4/5.

    At Remington Park, John Oxley and Victoriam Farm’s Silent Tactic (Tacitus-Magical Sign, by Gun Runner) got back into the winner’s circle with a neck victory in the Gr. III, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby.

    Trained by dual Hall of Famer Mark Casse, Silent Tactic improved his record to three wins from nine starts with a bankroll of $1,359,422. He was purchased by Justin Casse for $500,000 at the 2025 OBS April Sale from the Thorostock consignment after breezing in :10 1/5.

    At Laurel Park, Amerman Racing’s Coast Highway (Corniche—Lemoncita, by Lemon Drop Kid) won the $125,000 Laurel Futurity by a head, giving the colt his first black-type stakes win. Trained by Graham Motion, he was purchased by his owners for $105,000 at the 2026 OBS April Sale from the Two Oaks Equine consignment after breezing in :10 flat.

    The Laurel Park card also saw Hidden Overture (Mendelssohn—Sweeping Cherry, by Tonalist) take the $125,000 Selima Stakes by three-quarters of a length. Trained by Brittany Russell for Golden Lion Racing and Hidden Brook Farm, the filly earned the first stakes win of her career. She was purchased by Hidden Brook for $180,000 at the 2026 OBS June Sale from the Omar Ramirez Bloodstock consignment after breezing in :10 flat.

    At Remington Park, Joe D. Casey’s Hola Joey (Adios Charlie—Engaged, by Malibu Moon) captured the $100,000 David M. Vance Stakes by a head over fellow OBS graduate Yo Banana Boy. Trained by Gene Jacquot, the 4-year-old gelding was purchased by his owner at the 2024 OBS June Sale for $3,000 from the Ocala Stud consignment after breezing in :21 2/5.

    Also on the Remington Park card, Rileytole (Mitole—Picolata, by Bellamy Road) won the $200,000 Remington Park Oaks by 1 ¾ lengths. Trained by Steve Asmussen for Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt, the filly was purchased by her owners for $50,000 at the 2024 OBS Winter Mixed Sale for $50,000 from the Summerfield consignment.

    At Finger Lakes, Torie Gladwell’s homebred Sun Kissed Bliss (Mind Control—Kiska, by Into Mischief) won the $100,000 Lady Finger Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths. Trained by Joe Sharp, Sun Kissed Bliss was offered by the Top Line Sales consignment at both the 2026 OBS April Sale, where she breezed in :10 flat, and OBS April Second Chance Online Sale.

    The Finger Lakes card also saw Screen Door Stables’ D I Wire (Yaupon—Hard to Stay Notgo, by More Than Ready) take the $99,615 Aspirant Stakes by 2 1/4 lengths. Trained by Kelly Breen, D I Wire was purchased by his owner for $135,000 at the 2026 OBS April Sale out of the Sequel Bloodstock consignment after breezing in :10 1/5.

Friday, September 25, 2026
3rd race back after long layoff . . .

    HALLANDALE BEACH - One-time Triple Crown hopeful John Hancock, on the comeback trail after going nearly 14 months between races, will make his third start off the layoff and first for new connections in Saturday’s $65,000 Duke of Mischief overnight handicap at Gulfstream Park.

    The Duke of Mischief for 3-year-olds and up going a one-turn mile on the main track precedes the $100,000 Hollywood Beach, a five-furlong dash for 2-year-olds scheduled over the turf course, on a 10-race program that begins at 12:20 p.m.

    By 2014 Florida Derby (G1) winner Constitution, John Hancock was bred and at the time co-owned by WinStar Farm and trained by Brad Cox when he debuted as a 3-year-old with back-to-back wins four weeks apart at Tampa Bay Downs, each as the favorite in front-running fashion, the latter in the 1 1/16-mile Sam F. Davis last February. The runner-up that day, Owen Almighty, subsequently won the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and went on to run fifth in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
 

    John Hancock was again favored and led the way before fading to be fourth in the 2025 Louisiana Derby (G2), after which he was sidelined by a condylar fracture. He didn’t race again for 407 days, returning to finish sixth after setting the pace in a one-mile optional claimer May 2 at Churchill Downs.

    The setup and result were repeated in John Hancock’s most recent start June 10 at Churchill. He was entered in Fasig-Tipton’s horses of racing age sale July 26, purchased for $75,000 by Paula Rose Szalay’s Golden Kernel Racing Stable and sent to trainer Bobby Dibona at Gulfstream.

    “I thought I would pay more. I was willing to pay [$100,000] and I got him for [$75,000]. I think I stole him for that money,” Dibona said. “I gelded him and I did a myectomy with him. I didn’t rush anything. He’s amazing. I’m very excited to run him.

   “He had won the Sam Davis, so he was on the way to be something pretty good,” he added. “He suffered a condylar fracture in his hind leg, so they put a screw in, which [horses] do so well from, especially in behind. I don’t worry at all.”

    John Hancock has breezed six times for Dibona at Gulfstream, including a bullet half mile in :46.62 seconds Sept. 7. Most recently, he went three furlongs from the gate in :35.78 Sept. 19.

    “I’ve had him a few months. You can see he was cut out to be a good horse,” Dibona said. “Since he’s been with me, he’s just gone up, up, up, up. Every time I work him, he impresses me more. He went the other day from the gate in 35 and change and [the rider] was just sitting on him. He wasn’t riding hard or anything.”

    Miguel Vasquez is named on John Hancock from Post 6 as the 2-1 program favorite in a field of nine, carrying co-topweight of 121 pounds. Supplemented into the Duke of Mischief, he is stablemates with undefeated multiple stakes-winning 2-year-old Sum of Success. “Right now, he’s impressing me more than anyone in my barn,” Dibona. “We’ve got to get going with him, but he’s ready. He’s good to go.”

    Robert Wayne Jacobs and Dwight Puckett’s To the Eastside (Post 1, Edgar Perez, 3-1, 120) is the lone horse entered off a win, exiting a front-running one-length triumph over multiple stakes winner Classic of Course in the seven-furlong Benny the Bull Aug. 29 at Gulfstream.

    The 5-year-old son of two-time graded-stakes winner Enticed drew the rail for the third straight race, including a neck loss to Grade 3-placed 9-year-old Mish in a six-furlong starter optional claimer Aug. 3. “It seems like he’s been on the inside quite a bit,” trainer Andrea Puckett said. “He came back great and we’re excited to run him back. We weren’t thrilled with the one hole again but if he can repeat what he did the last race, we’d be happy.

     “He ran the race of his life last time,” she added. “We’ll see what happens, but we’re excited and hoping for a repeat, obviously. I think he looks pretty good in there.”

    Puckett was not surprised with the effort put forth last out by To the Eastside, whose best races have come running on or near the lead. He will face familiar foes such as stakes winner Pure Class (Post 7, Diego Herrera, 7-2, 121) and stakes-placed Icelander (Post 2, Anthony Thomas, 15-1, 118), who respectively ran third and fifth in the Benny the Bull.

    “We knew the horse was doing really well and he was training forwardly,” Puckett said. “He’s kind of a laid-back horse until he hits the racetrack. He lets you know when he’s ready and we think he improves every time he goes out there. He gains a little bit more experience and his confidence is on high right now.”

    Gerald Bennett-trained stablemates Chrome Ghost (Post 3, Samy Camacho, 6-1, 120) and El Principito (Post 4, Jonathan Ocasio, 20-1, 117); Awesome Train (Post 5, Marcos Meneses, 15-1, 117), Fiveeyesonskystars (Post 8, Leonel Reyes, 15-1, 118) and Lightning Tones (Post 9, Jose Morelos, 8-1, 121), winless in three starts since defending his title in the Jan. 10 Sunshine Classic, complete the field.

    Duke of Mischief was bred in Florida by Marilyn McMaster, who co-owned the horse with Alex and JoAnn Lieblong and trainer David Fawkes. The son of Graeme Hall ran first or second 12 times in 30 starts with seven wins and $1.9 million in purse earnings. Five of his wins came in stakes – the 2009 Iowa Derby, 2010 Fort Lauderdale (G3), Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and Iselin (G3) and 2011 Charles Town Classic (G3).