'TDN Rising Star' Giant Mischief Returns A Winner Off 10-Month Layoff

6th-Keeneland, $130,000, Alw (NW3$X)/Opt. Clm ($100,000), 10-12, 3yo/up, 6 1/2f, 1:16.16, ft, 1 3/4 lengths.
GIANT MISCHIEF (c, 4, Into Mischief–Vertical Oak {MGSW, $773,095}, by Giant Oak), a returning 'TDN Rising Star' made his first start Saturday since coming third in the GI Malibu Stakes to end the year Dec. 26. Off the board only once in seven prior starts, the Brad Cox runner rebounded here off nearly the year-long layoff as the 4-5 favorite by jumping straight to the front under Tyler Gaffalione. Chased throughout by a determined but ultimately second-best Kavod (Lea), Giant Mischief worked through fractions of :23.03 and :45.58, swung into the stretch still on the lead and stayed safely away to come home a winner by 1 3/4 lengths. Out of a MGSW first dam who sold to Stonestreet carrying the winner for $700,000 at FTKNOV in 2019, Giant Mischief has a yearling half-brother by Quality Road named Kelce who brought $850,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale this year. Vertical Oak produced a full-brother to the winner this year and was barren on a cover to Gun Runner for 2025. Sales History: $475,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GISP, 8-4-2-1, $428,105. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Bakster Farm LLC, Big Easy Racing LLC, Kueber Racing LLC, Spendthrift Farm LLC, Steve Landers Racing LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Ten Strike Racing, Titletown Racing Stables, Winners Win, M. Caruso, M. Dubb and M. Schwartz; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.

The first race of the year for #4 GIANT MISCHIEF ($3.70) was an easy win as he goes gate-to-wire in race 6 at @keenelandracing. The 4yo son of Into Mischief (@spendthriftfarm) was ridden by @Tyler_Gaff and is trained by @bradcoxracing.

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