Multiple graded-stakes winner Mischevious Alex breezed five furlongs in 1:00.35 Sunday morning at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., accompanied by Grade 1 stakes-placed Ny Traffic.
Mischevious Alex, who came off a five-month layoff to capture a Jan. 10 optional claiming allowance in his first start for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., is likely to race next Feb. 13 in either the $100,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint (G3) or the $250,000 General George (G3) at Laurel Park with an eye toward the April 3 Carter (G1) at Aqueduct.
“Today was a very good breeze and he galloped out strong,” Joseph said. “He finished his last quarter in 23 (seconds) and change, so we're very happy.”
Sunday's workout was the first since Mischevious Alex won his 2021 debut by 3 ¾ lengths while running six furlongs in 1:09.67.
Mischevious Alex, who is owned by Cash is King LL and LC Racing LLC, launched his 2020 campaign with a 9 ¾ length victory in the Swale (G3) at Gulfstream and a two-length score in the Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct before finishing fourth in the Woody Stephens (G1) at Belmont and sixth in the H. Allen Jerkens (G1) at Saratoga.
Ny Traffic, who was also timed in 1:00.35, has been out of action since finishing eighth in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and ninth in the Preakness (G1) at Pimlico.
“The work was really more for Mischevious Alex. It was Ny Traffic's first five-eighths and we let him go easy. Alex was going to gallop out.,” Joseph said. “I thought he got enough out of it. Next week, we'll start picking it up do a little more with him. We'll work him to more times and then make a plan for him.”
Ny Traffic, who is owned by John Fanelli, Cash is King LLC, LC Racing LLC, Paul Braverman and team Hanley, finished second in the Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds, the Matt Winn (G2) at Churchill Downs, and the Haskell (G1) at Monmouth Park. The son of Cross Traffic lost the Haskell by just a nose to Authentic, who went on to win the Kentucky Derby.
Joseph reported the Drain the Clock came out of his dominating victory in Saturday's $100,000 Swale (G3) at Gulfstream Park in good order.
The post Mischevious Alex, Ny Traffic Breeze Toward Stakes Engagements appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
