The legend of the one-eyed phenomenon Mighty Heart continues to grow after the colt’s gutsy triumph in the Nov. 14 CA$197,750 (US$157,561) Autumn Stakes (G2) at Woodbine. The reigning Sovereign Horse of the 12 months, final 12 months’s Queen’s Plate winner, and now a millionaire after his Autumn victory, the horse that sports activities his personal Instagram web page and has letters addressed to him has little left to show for his ever-growing fan base.
Regardless of his accolades, the Autumn win was particularly candy for coach Josie Carroll, who felt her star colt redeemed himself for a fourth-place end within the Oct. 10 Durham Cup (G3) final trip.
Down the stretch, there is no catching MIGHTY HEART within the Grade 2 Autumn Stakes! pic.twitter.com/nQffBTbYN4
— Woodbine Racetrack (@WoodbineTB) November 14, 2021
“He had a legit excuse final time when he a misplaced a shoe midway across the flip and actually felt vindicated to see him come again right this moment and do what we have been anticipating him to do,” stated Carroll.
Mighty Coronary heart has strung collectively a commendable marketing campaign as a 4-year-old, highlighted by a front-running rating within the Dominion Day Stakes (G3) on his dwelling soil and a sport tally underneath the Twin Spires within the Blame Stakes at Churchill Downs. The son of Dramedy faced a tall task in the Autumn Stakes, challenging the likes of 2019 Belmont Stakes (G1) hero Sir Winston , who appeared well on his way to returning to top form, multiple graded stakes winner and Durham Cup conquerer Special Forces , and the consistent Steve Asmussen runner Halo Again among his foes.
Breaking quick from the far exterior within the seven-horse area, Mighty Coronary heart was angled to the within rail by Patrick Husbands. The jockey, following Carroll’s pre-race directions of ‘Put this horse within the race,’ let Mighty Coronary heart seize the bit and roll to the lead. Mighty Coronary heart strode together with lengthy, assured strides underneath a unfastened rein, ticking off a tepid first quarter-mile in :23.86 and half-mile in :47.23. Unchallenged previous six furlongs in 1:11.36, Husbands smooched to the free-running bay on the prime of the lane and his mount kicked away from Particular Forces and Halo Once more, who thwarted Mighty Coronary heart’s benefit on the quarter pole. Sir Winston, third to final for a lot of the journey across the oval, rallied across the bend and bore down on Mighty Coronary heart, making a gallant late effort however unable to catch Mighty Coronary heart on the wire.
Mighty Coronary heart held sway by three-quarters of a size over favored Sir Winston, with Particular Forces one other size again in third.
The ultimate time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:42.51 over the Tapeta predominant observe, solely two ticks off the observe report. The third betting selection, Mighty Coronary heart paid $9.20 for his Autumn win.
Mighty Coronary heart acquired a rousing ovation by these within the stands and his connections when returning to the winner’s circle. Proprietor Larry Cordes was brimming with reward for the colt, warmly acknowledging the general public’s affection for his homebred champion.
“The dream continues … as soon as in a lifetime horse, with out query,” stated Cordes. “He has followers from 6-year-old kids to adults, sending him paraphernalia within the mail, not addressed to me. It is to my dwelling tackle, ‘Consideration, Mighty Coronary heart.’ It is unimaginable what’s gone on.”
Mighty Coronary heart, produced from the Metropolis Place mare Emma’s Bullseye, improved his report to 6-2-2 from 15 journeys to the submit and earnings of $1,059,290. His dam’s final reported foal is a yearling filly by Amis Gizmo named Emma’s Last Gem.
Carroll indicated that the Ontario-bred may be sent to Florida for a potential start on the dirt at Gulfstream Park over the winter.
“That is an thrilling horse,” stated Carroll. “They don’t come alongside fairly often, horses like this. He had his handicap to beat and issues like that by no means faze him.”
Video: Autumn S. (G2)
