Into Mischief Colt Carves Out Stylish Maiden Win

This column highlights the performances of maidens who have made no more than five starts and who either sold for more than $500,000 at public auction, have siblings that are graded/group winners, or have dams that are graded/group winners. BloodHorse research shows maiden winners, in particular, who meet these criteria are more likely to go on to be graded stakes winners.

Aqueduct Racetrack

Saint Gaudens, an Into Mischief  colt hailing from three generations of Broman family breeding, routed his state-bred rivals for a 6 1/2-length victory in his second outing Feb. 11 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Named for the celebrated 19th-century sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the 3-year-old was acquired by White Birch Farm for $450,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September Sale. Peter Brant, respected as one of the top 200 art collectors in the world, owns White Birch.

🏇 @jockeyfranco turns loose of NY bred #9 SAINT GAUDENS ($8.50) and they draw away from the field for an impressive victory in the Aqueduct finale. Congratulations to trainer Chad Brown and owner Peter Brant. Another winner by @SpendthriftFarm's Into Mischief. pic.twitter.com/QnPbYwWYva

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 11, 2024

After Saint Gaudens ran fifth in his Jan. 18 debut against New York-breds sprinting six furlongs, trainer Chad Brown slapped blinkers on the big bay and stretched the colt out to a mile in his second trip to the starting gate.

Content to track in second after a bumpy beginning, Saint Gaudens took charge heading into the final turn and skipped clear of his rivals. Separating himself by seven lengths from the field at the quarter pole, the colt drove to the wire under steady encouragement from Manny Franco. With no pursuers to threaten his lead in the final furlong, he finished in 1:39.59.

Saint Gaudens' dominant performance could suggest that a date versus open company may be in his near future. His dam, the dual grade 1 winner Artemis Agrotera, also a New York-bred, found success at the top level against open competition.

Artemis Agrotera, campaigned by Mary and Chester Broman, would win five of her nine starts and earned nearly a million dollars in three seasons on the track. A winner over 2013 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) victress Ria Antonia in the Frizette Stakes (G1) at 2, the daughter of Roman Ruler would go on to defeat older fillies and mares in a scintillating, 6 1/2-length romp in the following year's Ballerina Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. From her five foals to race, four have been winners, with the best being the Tapit  gelding Chestertown, winner of the 2020 Albany Stakes for New York-breds.