GOTHAM S. (gr. III ), Aqueduct , March 02, 2013 , $400,000 Guaranteed , value of race $400,000 , 3 yo , 1 1/16 miles , 1:44.09 Inner track FT .

The most interesting aspect behind the story of undefeated Gotham Stakes (gr. III) winner Vyjack is that the son of Into Mischief was technically never supposed to be born.

“It’s so weird—all these fateful things that happened (that led to his existence),” said Carrie Brogden, who bred the gelding in the name Machmer Hall with her husband, Craig.

Brogden explained that Vyjack’s dam Life Happened had been booked to Bernstein in 2009, but on the afternoon the mare was ready to be bred, Bernstein already had appointments with three other mares.

“Two hours before she needed to be bred, we were rushing around to see what other stallions had availability on their books,” said Brogden, who contacted her friend Ken Wilkins of Spendthrift Farm.

“He said Into Mischief had some availability that afternoon. I thought, ‘(Life Happened) is a big, grand mare, and (Into Mischief) is a son of Harlan’s Holiday and they tend to need a little bit of leg,’ ” Brogden continued. “I’m also a big fan of Into Mischief—he was a grade I-winning 2-year-old, and I think he was prematurely retired. But there was no science (to the mating)—we don’t believe in nicking.”

The resulting foal, Vyjack, was so impressive he became the featured foal in all of Spendthrift’s 2010 advertisements. “He was a big, raw, coarse, heavy horse, but he had a lot of bone underneath him,” said Brogden of the gelding, who fetched $45,000 from Pike Racing, agent, at the 2011 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July yearling sale from Select Sales, agent.

Brogden stayed on as a partner in Vyjack when he was pinhooked as a 2-year-old for $100,000 at the 2012 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-olds in training sale. Consigned by Pike Racing, agent, he was bought by David Wilkenfeld’s Pick Six Racing. Having scored additional victories in the Jan. 5 Jerome Stakes (gr. II) and Dec. 9 Traskwood Stakes at Aqueduct, Vyjack has now earned $442,200 for Wilkenfeld.

The Brogdens found a bargain when they bought Life Happened for $4,500 at the 2008 Keeneland November mixed sale from Brandywine Farm, agent.

Kept at Machmer Hall near Paris, Ky., the mare is also the dam of grade II stakes-placed Prime Cut (by Bernstein). Due to deliver a Gio Ponti foal soon, she is booked to Harlan’s Holiday.

Into Mischief, a half brother to champion Beholder, is the sire of three stakes winners, including other 2013 grade III victor Goldencents. Into Mischief stands for $20,000 at B. Wayne Hughes’ Spendthrift near Lexington.—E.M.

JAVA GOLD S. ( ), Aqueduct , February 10, 2013 , $75,000 Added , value of race $75,000 , 3 yo , 6 furlongs , 1:09.88 Inner track GD .