Mutasaabeq

The steady return of high-class flat action to the European turf heightened to a crescendo last week, with enthusiasts of that realm treated to a plethora of quality racing not only across the UK, Ireland and France, but also in Australia, where European-bred and -sired horses shone bright on the second day of The Championships. While significant pointers were staged for the middle-distance and sprinting divisions, all eyes were on the Classic trials, with now under two weeks until the Newmarket editions. And while a handful of black-type races shook...

Mutasaabeq (Into Mischief), a stakes winner on both dirt and turf, will miss an expected start in Saturday's GIII Holy Bull S. at Gulfstream and is off the GI Kentucky Derby trail, according to a report by Daily Racing Form's Mike Welsch. The Shadwell Stable colorbearer and 'TDN Rising Star' annexed the Mucho Macho Man S. in Hallandale last out and also captured the GIII Bourbon S. on the Keeneland turf in October. "The versatile Mutasaabeq, impressive winner of the Mucho Macho Man, who was pointing for Saturday's Holy Bull...

'TDN Rising Star' Mutasaabeq (Into Mischief), already a graded winner on turf of the GII Bourbon S. at Keeneland last season, returned to the main track and asserted his authority late to take Saturday's Mucho Macho Man S. at Gulfstream Park. Away in good order, the $425,000 Keeneland November weanling fell into a good stalking trip as Awesome Gerry took them along at a solid tempo down the backstretch. The 11-10 chalk appeared to be making hard work of it as they hit the three-furlong marker and Luis Saez was...

Trainer Todd Pletcher breezed a quintet of Breeders' Cup contenders over the past two mornings at Belmont Park. Halladay (War Front) (Mile), winner of the GI Fourstardave H. last out Aug. 22 at Saratoga, worked five-eighths in company Friday in 1:00.60 on the fast dirt training track. He was scratched out of the GI Shadwell Turf Mile Oct. 3 at Keeneland with a hind leg infection. "I thought it was a good work. We normally don't work him in company, but seeing as we're a little rushed for time between...

When Kiaran McLaughlin announced his retirement earlier this spring, Shadwell Stable's Vice President and General Manager Rick Nichols already had a trainer's name in the back of his mind who could potentially fill the void. "Actually, it was kind of a no-brainer," Nichols said. "Through Kiaran, I got to know Todd [Pletcher] quite well and always had tremendous respect for him. I would have always liked for him to train for us, but since Todd and Kiaran were such good friends, it was a line that I didn't want to...

Runhappy Debutante S. winner, GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies hopeful, and 'TDN Rising Star' Crazy Beautiful (Liam's Map) has been supplemented to the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, which will be held Nov. 9-18. Crazy Beautiful was last seen finishing second in the Oct. 2 GI Darley Alcibiades S. behind unbeaten Simply Ravishing (Laoban). She was also second in the GIII Pocahontas S. Sept. 3. Denali Stud will consign the filly, who will appear in Book 1 of the sale. Also supplemented is Downside Scenario (Scat Daddy), the dam of...

'TDN Rising Star' Mutasaabeq (Into Mischief) tries his hoof at turf and a spot in the gate for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf in Sunday's GII Bourbon S. at Keeneland. An ultra-impressive debut winner sprinting on the Saratoga main track Aug. 8, the Shadwell runner checked in third in the GI Hopeful S. next out there Sept. 7. In addition to trying turf for the first time here, the Todd Pletcher pupil navigates two turns for the first time as well. Wesley Ward can never be counted out and...

With the obvious caveat that anything can happen with 2-year-olds this early in their development--look no further than Sittin On Go (Brody's Cause)'s 24-1 upset in Saturday GII Iroquois S.--Monday's GI Runhappy Hopeful S. looks solidly like a three-horse affair, as arguably the three most impressive dirt juveniles of the meet will clash in the seven-furlong test. Made the fractional favorite on the morning line at 7-5, J. Kirk and Judy Robison's Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music) looks formidable in his attempt for back-to-back Spa graded stakes scores. A first-out winner...

Hammered down to 85 cents on the dollar off a worktab that shouted ready, Shadwell Stable's Mutasaabeq (Into Mischief) was not the quickest out, but was fastest late as he raced away to score by 4 1/2 lengths and the 'TDN Rising Star' designation. Drawn widest in the field of seven, the $425,000 Keeneland November weanling acquisition broke near the back of the pack and was under a hustling Luis Saez ride as American Gentleman (American Pharoah) showed the way through an opening couple of furlongs in :22.21. Responding to...