Maximus Mischief is best in Remsen
Although the Cigar Mile, with its Grade 1 rating and $750,000 purse, was advertised as the marquee event on closing day of the Aqueduct fall meet, the Remsen Stakes (G2) was arguably the race that generated the most interest.That’s because the Remsen is an early prep for the Kentucky Derby (worth 10 qualifying points to the winner), and for many racing fans thinking about the Kentucky Derby is what gets them through the long winter.
Last Saturday’s Remsen produced an impressive winner in Maximus Mischief. Making his stakes debut, the 2-year- old colt remained undefeated in three starts, pulling away from oddson favorite Network Effect in the stretch to triumph by 2¼ lengths. Although Maximus Mischief’s pedigree doesn’t mark him as a horse likely to relish a mile and a quarter – he’s by Into Mischief out of a Songandaprayer mare – it’s too early to know for certain how far he really wants to go.
It’s been a while since a Remsen winner went on to win the Kentucky Derby. Back-toback Remsen winners Go for Gin (1993) and Thunder Gulch