Off turf no problem as Doug Cowans-trained Mischievous Rogue rolls

Race recap by the Fair Grounds publicity office (Hodges photo of Mischievous Rogue winning the Claiming Crown Canterbury Tom Metzen Memorial)

Video: Hear from trainer Doug Cowans and farm manager Penny Lopez

New Orleans, La (Dec. 2, 2023) – Given a perfect off the pace trip by jockey Luan Machado, Mischievous Rogue traveled comfortably off the pace saving ground before swinging wide out of the far turn to fly home and win the $150,000 Canterbury Tom Metzen Memorial by 3 ½  lengths at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Taken off the turf but still run at 5 ½ furlongs, the final time for the sixth Claiming Crown race on the card was 1:04.20.

The victory gave Turfway Park-based trainer Doug Cowans his first Claiming Crown victory in his debut.

After pressing Bodenheimer through the first three calls, Counterstrike fought off late bids to finish second.

Owned by Southern Comfort Stables, the Into Mischief 5-year-old was guided perfectly by the “Axe Man” Luan Machado for his first career win at Fair Grounds. Through a career of 18 races, Mischievous Rogue has now won 6, amassing $411,297 in purses.

Luan Machado, jockey aboard winner Mischievous Rogue

“He had never run on a sloppy track like this. I don’t think it’s about me. I let them feel comfortable and make their own run, and that’s what we got today with Mischievous Rogue.”