Mighty Heart All Heart in Autumn Stakes Victory

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 Year, last year's Queen's Plate winner, and now a millionaire after his Autumn victory, the horse that sports his own Instagram page and has letters addressed to him has little left to prove for his ever-growing fan base.

Despite his accolades, the Autumn win was especially sweet for trainer Josie Carroll, who felt her star colt redeemed himself for a fourth-place finish in the Oct. 10 Durham Cup (G3) last time out.

Down the stretch, there's no catching MIGHTY HEART in the Grade 2 Autumn Stakes! pic.twitter.com/nQffBTbYN4

— Woodbine Racetrack (@WoodbineTB) November 14, 2021

"He had a legit excuse last time when he a lost a shoe halfway around the turn and really felt vindicated to see him come back today and do what we've been expecting him to do," said Carroll.

Mighty Heart has strung together a commendable campaign as a 4-year-old, highlighted by a front-running score in the Dominion Day Stakes (G3) on his home soil and a game tally under the Twin Spires in 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 fast from the far outside in the seven-horse field, Mighty Heart was angled to the inside rail by Patrick Husbands. The jockey, following Carroll's pre-race instructions of 'Put this horse in the race,' let Mighty Heart grab the bit and roll to the lead. Mighty Heart strode along with long, confident strides under a loose rein, ticking off a tepid first quarter-mile in :23.86 and half-mile in :47.23. Unchallenged past six furlongs in 1:11.36, Husbands smooched to the free-running bay at the top of the lane and his mount kicked away from Special Forces and Halo Again, who thwarted Mighty Heart's advantage at the quarter pole. Sir Winston, third to last for most of the journey around the oval, rallied around the bend and bore down on Mighty Heart, making a gallant late effort but unable to catch Mighty Heart at the wire.

Mighty Heart held sway by three-quarters of a length over favored Sir Winston, with Special Forces another length back in third.

The final time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:42.51 over the Tapeta main track, only two ticks off the track record. The third betting choice, Mighty Heart paid $9.20 for his Autumn win.

Mighty Heart received a rousing ovation by those in the stands and his connections when returning to the winner's circle. Owner Larry Cordes was brimming with praise for the colt, warmly acknowledging the public's affection for his homebred champion.

"The dream continues … once in a lifetime horse, without question," said Cordes. "He has followers from 6-year-old children to adults, sending him paraphernalia in the mail, not addressed to me. It's to my home address, 'Attention, Mighty Heart.' It's incredible what's gone on."

Mighty Heart, produced from the City Place mare Emma's Bullseye, improved his record to 6-2-2 from 15 trips to the post and earnings of $1,059,290. His dam's last 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.

“This is an exciting horse,” said Carroll. “They don’t come along very often, horses like this. He had his handicap to overcome and things like that never faze him."

Video: Autumn S. (G2)