Vyjack gives Into Mischief another graded stakes winner

Into Mischief’s sophomore son Vyjack handled his first two-turn Saturday to remain undefeated with a hard-fought victory in the Grade 2, $200,000 Jerome S. at Aqueduct Racetrack. The win kicked off a huge day for Into Mischief, who also accounted for the Grade 3 Sham S. at Santa Anita with Goldencents.

Into Mischief enjoyed a terrific year as a first-crop sire in 2012, finishing third on the North American Freshman Sire list with progeny earnings of $1,171,578. Goldencents was his leading earner last year after his win in the $1 million Delta Jackpot (G3). With his impressive first crop, Into Mischief’s stud fee for 2013 has been increased from $10,000 to $20,000 LFS&N.

Vyjack raced in tandem with Mudflats through an opening half-mile in 47.58 seconds. Vyjack put away that foe going into the final turn, only to be engaged by Siete de Oros soon after. Vyjack lost the lead for a bit in upper stretch to his new adversary, but under a steady drive by jockey Cornelio Velasquez, was able prevailed by a head after a lengthy duel.

“My horse, I think, is a good horse, but he’s a little green,” said Velasquez. “He doesn’t pay too much attention during the race. He tried to get out, and at the quarter pole the other horse came inside. He passed me and my horse changed leads, but I had a lot of horse. My horse tried to get out, fought a little bit, changed leads, and came back again.”

Vyjack (left) prevails in the Grade 2 Jerome

Vyjack’s winning time was 1:40.67 for the 1 mile and 70 yard contest. His record stands at 3-0 for trainer Rudy Rodriguez and Pick Six Racing. All three wins have come at Aqueduct; in the $71,000 Traskwood S. in December and in his maiden debut in November. He has now amassed $202,200 in winnings.

“He’s still learning and hopefully he keeps learning,” said Rodriguez of the 3-year-old chestnut. “He was very game. He shows us in the morning he’s that way. I really don’t want to see him on the lead because he’ll kind of want to wait for horses. Hopefully this race will wake him up a little bit and put him more in the game because he’s got a lot of talent.”

Rodriguez said Vyjack will run next in the Grade 3, $400,000 Gotham on March 3, the next prep in New York for the Kentucky Derby (G1).