Mbagnick Newest Grade I Winner for Practical Joke

Practical Joke scored his third Grade I winner on Saturday when Mbagnick (3c Practical Joke x Belcunda, by Powerscourt) easily won the Group I Prix Gran Criterium Mauricio Serrano Palma.

The 1 3/16 mile dirt race saw 10 3-year-olds line up to challenge for Grade I honors but Mbagnick ended the race soon after it began when taking over the lead. The colt led comfortably with minimal pressure and started building his lead as they raced into the far turn with his rider not doing much.

Mbagnick was asked for more in the stretch and he responded, winning by 3 ¼ lengths with fellow Practical Joke runner El Oriente just missing out on second.

Bred by Haras Paso Nevado, he is trained by Juan Pablo Baeza for Stud Paola.

Also third in another Grade I as a 2-year-old, Mbagnick is a half-brother to multiple Grade III winner Benelli, Lookin At Lucky’s stakes winning El Bolzon, and multiple Grade III-placed Luckystrike.

Their dam is also a half-sister to Scat Daddy’s dual champion and 20 time winner El Bromista and Group III Tu Brutus in addition to the dam of Chilean champion Cumpleanos Feliz.