BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Mr Pug LLC and JPG 2 LLC’s Naughty Rascal will attempt to finish off his freshman year with his third stakes tally when the Florida-bred colt goes postward in the $125,000 Inaugural at Tampa Bay Downs Saturday. Naughty Rascal is among eight 2-year-olds, including three Florida-breds, who will go six furlongs.
The purse includes a $50,000 Top 3 bonus presented by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association for runners eligible for the Florida Sire Stakes program.
Naughty Rascal has won three of his four career starts, all at Gulfstream Park, beginning with a three-quarters of a length victory in the slop against Florida-bred special weight maidens on July 21. He then won the $95,000 Proud Man going six furlongs on Aug. 10 before suffering his only loss when third to Crazy Frazy in the $79,000 Aventura going a mile on Sept. 21.
Trainer Gerald Bennett switched the bay son of Solera Farm stallion Rogueish to the turf at Gulfstream for his last race and Naughty Rascal responded with a one-length score in the $95,000 Armed Forces going a mile on Nov. 2, bringing his career earnings to $143,130.
Out of Baby Doll, by Smarty Jones, Naughty Rascal was bred in Florida by Edward Seltzer, Beverly Anderson and Helen and Joseph Barbazon. He is not eligible for the Florida Sire Stakes bonus.
He is a two-time graduate of Ocala Breeders’ Sales having first old for $22,000 to Silvestre Avila out of the Boutte Sales consignment at the 2023 Winter Mixed Sale. JPG 2 then took him for $39,000 out of the de Meric Sales consignment at this year’s OBS March Sale.
Miguel Vasquez will ride Naughty Rascal from post three.
Mila’s Wish, who chased Naughty Rascal in the Proud Man but could do no better than seventh, improved in his next start when trainer Michael Yates tried him on the synthetic course at Gulfstream in the $95,000 Hollywood Beach. Mila’s Wish rallied from fourth but finished second, a head shy of catching winning Florida-bred Most Handsome after five furlongs.
Mila’s Wish is by Stonehedge Farm South stallion Cajun Breeze out of Little Red Frog, by Munnings and is eligible for the Florida Sire Stakes. He has one win and a second in three starts with earnings of $66,300.
Marcos Meneses has the return mount from the inside post one.
Another Florida-bred looking to add to his stakes credentials is Candycrumbs, winner of the $150,000 Hickory Tree, a five-and-a-half-furlong contest at Colonial Downs on Aug. 3.
In two starts since, both at Gulfstream, the grey or roan son of Bridlewood Farm stallion Valiant Minister was fifth behind Florida-bred star Rated by Merit in the $100,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Dr. Fager on Sept. 7 and fourth in a first condition, $75,000 optional claiming won by Lou going seven furlongs on Nov. 9.
Candycrumbs is trained and owned by Mary Lightner and was bred in Florida by her Shooting Star Thoroughbreds. Out of Crumb, by Graeme Hall, he has a win and a second in four starts with earnings of $74,420 and is eligible for the Florida Sire Stakes bonus.
Antonio Gallardo will ride Candycrumbs from post four.
Rounding out the field are Mr. Squeaky Wheels with jockey Israel Rodriguez, Donut God and rider Samy Camacho, Alonso Quinonez has the call on R N R Audible, Tapirs Valor will be ridden by Pablo Morales and Rosario Montanez will guide Epitaph.
