By Alan Carasso
Kentucky-based first-crop stallions Jack Christopher (Munnings) and Highly Motivated (Into Mischief) were represented by their first winners Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9, respectively, at Hipodromo de las Americas in Mexico City.
Bred in Kentucky by Rhineshire Farm LLC and campaigned by Cuadra Los Agaves, the filly Rhythm of Crown drew outside in a field of six for the Friday opener and made virtually all the running to graduate by a widening 2 3/4 lengths as the 5.35-1 fourth betting choice (video).
Juvenile colts were in the spotlight in Saturday's third race as a field of seven first-time starters entered the gate for the 4 1/2-furlong dash. The Los Agaves colors were once again front and center when Mischief Crown assumed control just a few strides out of the gate and led every step of the way to open his account by a comfortable 1 1/4-length margin at the 17-10 favorite (video). The colt was bred in Florida by Larry Mejias.
Winner of the one-mile GI Champagne Stakes at two and the GI Woody Stephens Stakes and GI H. Allen Jerkens Stakes at three for trainer Chad Brown, Jack Christopher is represented by 188 foals from his first crop of juveniles and stood the 2026 breeding season at a fee of $15,000 at Coolmore in Kentucky. His first 2-year-old have sold for up to $725,000 this spring.
Highly Motivated, winner of the GIII Monmouth Cup Stakes and narrowly defeated by Essential Quality (Tapit) in the GII Toyota Blue Grass Stakes while under the care of Brown, is the sire of 98 juveniles from his initial intake at Airdrie Stud. Highly Motivated covered mares at a fee of $7,500 in 2026.
Highly Motivated | Sarah Andrew
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
