Into Mischief Gets Into 2008 Kentucky Derby Contenders List

Posted on Friday, February 1st, 2008

Horse trainer Richard Mandella and owner B. Wayne Hughes have high hopes for Into Mischief as he comes into the Triple Crown scene as one of the 2008 Kentucky Derby contenders.

Having a career record of 3-2-1-0, Into Mischief, won the Cashcall Futurity (gr. I) in his most recent start last December at Hollywood Park. Into Mischief also placed 2nd in the Hollywood Prevue (gr. III) also at Hollywood Park in November.

Into Mischief is from the first crop of multiple Grade 1 hero Harlan’s Holiday, a grandson of the mighty Storm Cat. Harlan’s Holiday earned of more than $3.6 million in the course of his career. He was a major player on the 2002 Kentucky Derby trail. After winning the Florida Derby (gr. I) and Blue Grass Stakes (gr. II), he was sent off as the 6-1 favorite in the Run for the Roses, but failed to put his best foot forward and wound up 7th.

At four, Harlan’s Holiday added the 1 1/8 mile Donn Handicap (gr. I) to his trophy collection and finished second in two premier 1 1/4 mile contests, the Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) and the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I).

Both Richard Mandella and B. Wayne Hughes are not strangers to the Kentucky Derby. Trainer Richard Mandella has had five Kentucky Derby starters, with his best finish being 5th with Soul of the Matter in 1994. They’re hoping Into Mischief can get them their first Derby win.

Jockey Victor Espinoza teams up again with Into Mischief as he was named to take the mount for the Kentucky Derby. Victor Espinoza’s biggest stakes wins to date have been on War Emblem in 2002 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes (gr. I), The Tin Man in the 2006 Arlington Million (gr. I), Early Pioneer in the 2000 Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) and Spain in the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (gr. I). He has had three Kentucky Derby mounts in addition to War Emblem: Congaree (3rd in 2001), Borrego (10th in 2004), and Sinister Minister (16th in 2006).

The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown Trail. It is scheduled on the first Saturday of May at Churchill Downs.

"Into Mischief Gets Into 2008 Kentucky Derby Contenders List" was posted on Friday, February 1st, 2008 at 7:57 pm and is filed under Horse Racing Industry, Horses, Kentucky Derby, Stakes Races, USA Horse Racing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Previous Horse Racing News Entry:

Next Horse Racing News Entry:

Horse Racing News »

Post Comments