HALLANDALE BEACH, FL — John Hancock will make his third start since returning from a 407-day absence when the former Sam F. Davis winner lines up in Saturday’s $65,000 Duke of Mischief Handicap at Gulfstream Park.
The one-turn mile for 3-year-olds and up will headline the early part of a 10-race programme scheduled to begin at 12:20 p.m. The race marks John Hancock’s first appearance for his new connections after a lengthy rehabilitation from a condylar fracture.
John Hancock Begins New Chapter at Gulfstream Park
Bred by a proven pedigree and a son of 2014 Florida Derby winner Constitution, John Hancock made an immediate impression as a 3-year-old. Trained at the time by Brad Cox, the colt opened his career with consecutive victories at Tampa Bay Downs, with the second coming in the 1 1/16-mile Sam F. Davis Stakes.
That performance placed him among the leading contenders on the road towards the 2025 Kentucky Derby. The runner-up from that Sam F. Davis, Owen Almighty, later captured the Tampa Bay Derby before finishing fifth in the Kentucky Derby.
John Hancock was unable to maintain that early momentum in the Louisiana Derby, where the front-running colt faded to fourth. A condylar fracture then kept him away from racing for more than a year.
His comeback came at Churchill Downs on May 2, when he returned to competition over a mile. After showing speed early, he faded to finish sixth. A similar pattern emerged in his next start on June 10, again at Churchill Downs.
The latest chapter began when John Hancock moved to trainer Bobby Dibona’s stable at Gulfstream Park.
Dibona has taken a patient approach with the horse and has been encouraged by his work since arriving in Florida. John Hancock has recorded six workouts for the new stable, including a sharp half-mile in 46.62 seconds on September 7. His most recent preparation saw him cover three furlongs from the starting gate in 35.78 seconds on September 19.
“He’s just gone up, up, up, up,” Dibona said of the horse’s progress. “Every time I work him, he impresses me more.”
John Hancock is scheduled to break from Post 6 with Miguel Vasquez aboard. He carries 121 pounds and is one of two runners sharing the top weight in the nine-horse field.
Dibona believes the horse is ready for the challenge.
“He’s ready. He’s good to go,” the trainer said.
To the Eastside Brings Recent Winning Form
John Hancock will face a field that includes several familiar runners, with To the Eastside arriving off a victory.
Trained by Andrea Puckett, the 5-year-old won the seven-furlong Benny the Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park on August 29, defeating multiple stakes winner Classic of Course by a length.
To the Eastside has drawn the inside stall for the third consecutive race. His recent form has been built around his ability to race prominently, and Puckett is hoping for another strong performance.
“He ran the race of his life last time,” Puckett said. “We’ll see what happens, but we’re excited and hoping for a repeat.”
Pure Class and Icelander, who finished third and fifth respectively in the Benny the Bull, return to face To the Eastside.
Puckett believes her charge has continued to progress in training and has gained confidence with each appearance.
The remaining runners are Chrome Ghost, El Principito, Awesome Train, Fiveeyesonskystars and Lightning Tones. Lightning Tones returns after three starts since successfully defending the Sunshine Classic title in January.
The Duke of Mischief Handicap carries added significance given the history of its namesake. Duke of Mischief was bred in Florida and compiled seven victories from 30 starts, finishing first or second on 12 occasions. Five of those wins came in stakes races, including the Iowa Derby, Fort Lauderdale Stakes, Oaklawn Handicap, Iselin Stakes and Charles Town Classic.
For John Hancock, however, Saturday’s race is about the present. After more than a year away and two comeback runs, the former Sam F. Davis winner now has an opportunity to show how much progress he has made since joining a new stable.
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