DUKE OF MISCHIEF TO LEAD CT CLASSIC POST PARADE
Duke of Mischief, the winner of the first graded stakes race ever run in the history of Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races will make a return to the home of his richest career triumph when he leads the post parade for the $800,000 Charles Town Classic (G2) on Friday night, August 27.
The Charles Town Classic is the marquee attraction on the blockbuster 13 race card that includes 9 stakes races, more than $2 million in total purses and gets underway with a first race post of 5:00 P.M.
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Following its first two runnings in 2009 and 2010, the 2011 Charles Town Classic was minted as a Grade 3 in its first year of eligibility and promptly drew the three horses who would ultimately vie for the 2011 Eclipse Award as top older male – Game on Dude, Tizway and Acclamation. However, it was Duke of Mischief, owned by Alex and JoAnn Lieblong, Marilyn McMaster and David Fawkes, trained by David Fawkes and ridden by Joe Bravo who would best them all, stopping the clock in 1:51.13 for the 1 1/8 miles over the sloppy going.
The following year, the son of Graeme Hall returned to Charles Town despite having dropped his 5 decisions since the 2011 Classic and nearly pulled off an upset at odds of 12.40-to-1, finishing second to eventual winner Caixa Eletronica. Duke of Mischief would race three more times following his run at back-to-back Charles Town Classics and retired with 7 wins in 30 starts, more than $1.9 million in earnings and four graded stakes tallies including the Charles Town Classic and 2010 Oaklawn Handicap (G2).
Following his racing career, Duke of Mischief would make stops as a stallion in Florida, Indiana and Michigan before relocating to Flowing Acres Farm near Charles Town earlier in the fall of 2020. In his limited stud career, Duke of Mischief has produced 48 starters and 28 winners from the 71 foals of racing age he has sired.
However, there could be more on the way as Duke of Mischief covered mares this past breeding season after moving to West Virginia according to Flowing Acres Farm owner Michael Ingrassia, who stands three other stallions at his property that sits a short distance away from Charles Town.
“All four of our stallions live together in our stallion barn and are enjoying life,” Ingrassia said. “They all get daily walks around the farm and are a picture of health.”
Post time for the 13th running of the Charles Town Classic is set for 10:18 P.M. on August 27.
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