Knicks Go, Mischevious Alex to Throw Down in Met Mile

One of the country's top sprinters, Mischevious Alex , will meet some of the nation's premier short-distance routers over the middle ground of a one-turn mile in the $1 million Hill 'N' Dale Metropolitan Handicap (G1) at Belmont Park June 5. 

Besides Mischevious Alex, who captured the seven-furlong Carter Handicap (G1) at Aqueduct Racetrack by 5 1/2 lengths this spring, the race includes graded stakes winners Lexitonian , Knicks Go , Silver State , Dr Post , and By My Standards . All but Knicks Go enter the Met Mile off either first- or second-place finishes.

Korea Racing Authority's Knicks Go was last-out fourth in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) Feb. 20, chasing Charlatan  in the one-turn, 1 1/8-mile contest before yielding to fourth, beaten 8 1/2 lengths by Mishriff . That was his first defeat of 2020-21, coming during a stretch in which he won the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Keeneland Nov. 7 and later the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 23.

He and By My Standards were rerouted to the Met Mile after they were initially aimed toward the two-turn Steve Sexton Mile Stakes (G3) at Lone Star Park May 31.

"There is no doubt he has performed well around two turns for us," trainer Brad Cox said on a National Thoroughbred Racing Association teleconference. "There are going to be some question marks if the one-turn mile is what he wants to do, but for a million dollars and a prestigious race like the Met Mile, I really think he deserves the opportunity."

A 5-year-old by Paynter  , he carries high weight of 126 pounds, spotting his rivals between two to eight pounds apiece. His regular rider, Joel Rosario, will be aboard him from the outside post in the field of six.

Cash is King and LC Racing's Mischevious Alex, second high weight at 124 pounds, conversely breaks from the rail.

The 4-year-old Into Mischief   colt is 3-for-3 this year for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., also taking the Feb. 13 Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes (G3) and an allowance optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park Jan. 10.

Last year at 3 when trained by John Servis, he won the Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct over a one-turn mile.

Also proven over the trip is fellow 4-year-old Dr Post, who scored in the May 1 Westchester Stakes (G3) at Belmont in his prep for the Met Mile. The St. Elias Stable-owned runner was also second in last year's 1 1/8-mile Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) behind Tiz the Law  .

"When we decided he would race this year and when we talked about what his campaign would look like, races like the Met Mile became a focal point with a plan for giving him enough time off to be fresh and ready," said Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. "Hopefully, it's a good, honest pace, and if it unfolds the right way, maybe we can get lucky."

Dr Post breaks from post 2 with Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez up. The Quality Road   colt receives the co-lightest weight assignment at 118 pounds.

Coming off lucrative stakes victories at Oaklawn Park are By My Standards and Silver State, the latter's fifth win in a row. Lexitonian was second in the Churchill Downs Stakes Presented by Ford (G1) on Derby Day at Churchill Downs May 1.

The Met Mile is a "Win and You're In" qualifier for this fall's Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar.

Entries: Hill 'N' Dale Metropolitan H. (G1)

Belmont Park, Saturday, June 05, 2021, Race 9

• Grade I
• 1m
• Dirt
• $1,000,000
• 3 yo's & up
• 4:42 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Mischevious Alex (KY)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	124	Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.	5/2
2	2Dr Post (KY)	John R. Velazquez	118	Todd A. Pletcher	9/2
3	3Silver State (KY)	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	120	Steven M. Asmussen	7/2
4	4Lexitonian (KY)	Tyler Gaffalione	118	Jack Sisterson	20/1
5	5By My Standards (KY)	Gabriel Saez	122	W. Bret Calhoun	10/1
6	6Knicks Go (MD)	Joel Rosario	126	Brad H. Cox	6/5