ROUNDUP : Brand ‘X’ Is Quality in Ruffian

Trainer Charles Carlesimo neglected to send co-owner Gregory Mordas’ silks to Belmont Park when he shipped Quick Mischief for Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile Ruffian Handicap. He was unaccustomed to such details, having never before run a horse in a Grade I stakes.

The jockeys’ agents at Belmont were not exactly clamoring for the opportunity to ride the 4-year-old filly, whose career was defined by a nine-length victory at Monmouth Park more than 15 months ago. Her 111-pound assignment also limited the number of riders eligible to make the weight.

Carlesimo was concerned that Quick Mischief might not be up to facing Southland-based Gorgeous, one of the leading older fillies bound for next month’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff. But Gorgeous was scratched from the Ruffian Friday.

“We were thrilled that Gorgeous was scratched,” Carlesimo said. “And it came up slop, which we like.”

When Carlesimo looked through his binoculars toward the quarter pole Saturday, he saw Quick Mischief comfortably in front and jockey Raul Rojas, clad in substitute blue silks marked with a white “X”--the New York Racing Assn.’s version of the house blazer--looking over his shoulder for competition and finding none.

She was in control with three-eighths to run after six furlongs in 1:09 4/5. From there, her lead widened to three lengths at the wire in 1:42 4/5. Quick Mischief paid $16.40 and earned $144,480, more than doubling her previous earnings of $111,280.

Julie Krone rode Safely Kept to victory in the Meadowlands Budweiser Breeders Cup. Safely Kept, who was timed in 1:09 1/5 for the six furlongs, paid $3, $2.40 and $2.10.

Southland-based Itsallgreektome, the 3-5 favorite, scored his fourth stakes victory on the turf in his last six races by defeating Noble Dr. by a length in the Grade III Ascot Handicap at Bay Meadows. Itsallgreektome completed the 1 1/16 miles on the turf in 1:43 1/5 and paid $3.40, $2.60 and $2.20.

Hansel closed with a late rush along the rail to win the Washington-Arlington Futurity at Arlington International Racecourse. Hansel, who was timed in 1:36 2/5 for the mile, paid $4.80, $2.80 and $2.20.