Taking it to the ‘Max’ in the Remsen

[Wandering Eyes]

Unbeaten ‘TDN Rising Star’ Maximus Mischief (Into Mischief) makes his highly anticipated stakes debut in Saturday’s GII Remsen S. at the Big A.

The bay won his first two attempts with ease by a total of 14 3/4 lengths sprinting at Parx, including a first-level allowance going seven furlongs Oct. 20 (By Way of Philly, Maximus Mischief One to Watch, by Bill Finley). He earned a 98 Beyer Speed Figure last time, the highest of any juvenile this season.

“He hasn’t missed a beat in training. We couldn’t be any happier,” trainer Robert Reid Jr. said. “He’s got a real good head on his shoulders. Nothing bothers him. It’s a big jump with an extra quarter of a mile [to 1 1/8 miles in the Remsen], but all indications to me is that it shouldn’t be a problem.”

Bourbon War (Tapit) posted a promising debut win in a one-mile off-the-turfer at the Big A Nov. 14. He is the first foal out of My Conquestadory (Artie Schiller), who annexed the 2013 GI Alcibiades S. and sold for $1.5 million with his full sibling in utero at Conquest Stables’ 2016 Keeneland November dispersal.

“He’s a horse who all along I thought would need to run and need more ground,” trainer Mark Hennig said. “I never anticipated that he’s the horse who would run the race of his life in his first start. I think there’s plenty of upside. The timing is a question mark, but he’s acting like he’s up to it. I think he’ll be up to the challenge.”

Network Effect (Mark Valeski), a three-length debut winner at the Spa Aug. 11, was second-best behind the highly regarded Vekoma (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the GIII Nashua S. here Nov. 4.

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