Finely Bred Into Mischief Colt Graduates at the Big A

This column highlights the performances of 2-year-old 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

The exquisitely bred Rebel Instinct checked all three boxes of the Maiden Watch criteria with his 3-length score Nov. 2 at Aqueduct Racetrack. A son of the reigning king of sires, Into Mischief , Rebel Instinct is the ninth foal out of 2010 Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (G1) heroine Unrivaled Belle, making him a half sibling to two-time champion racemare Unique Bella. On top of those illustrious credentials, the striking gray/roan colt commanded a $700,000 price tag at Fasig-Tipton's The Saratoga Sale in 2024. 

Rebel Instinct first appeared on the work tab at Belmont Park in July for trainer Chad Brown and wouldn't be unveiled for his debut until the last weekend of September. In an encouraging first effort, heeding some valuable midrace lessons from jockey Flavien Prat, Rebel Instinct finished second to the highly regarded Igniter in a 1-mile maiden special weight at the Big A. The Resolute Racing and Whisper Hill Farm color-bearer, flush with fitness, drilled three sub-:49 half-miles in the weeks leading up to his first victory.

Bet down at less than even money in his second trip to the starting gate Sunday, Rebel Instinct bobbled leaving the gate but recovered quickly to prompt the front-runner through opening splits of :23.49 and :46.59. Passing the half-mile marker, the long-striding colt took charge and powered clear of his rivals. Hitting the wire a comfortable winner, he clocked the mile in 1:35.98 over a fast main track.

While Rebel Instinct's grade 1-winning older half sister Unique Bella notched a handful of top-level victories at a route, the daughter of Tapit  was widely recognized for her incredible speed. A steely gray/roan like her brother and dam, Unique Bella was named the 2017 champion female sprinter after blitzing 7 furlongs in 1:21.49 in winning the 2017 La Brea Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park.