TORONTO, September 12, 2020 –
Mighty Heart lived up to his name in a dominating score in the 161st running of the Queen’s Plate, as the one-eyed colt trounced his 13 rivals on Saturday at Woodbine. Originally slated for June 27, North America’s oldest continually run race was moved to September 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the connections of Mighty Heart, it was well worth the wait. Breaking almost immediately to the lead Mighty Heart showed just that as the colt took them Gate To Wire and decimated this Queen’s Plate field by eight lengths.
Bred and owned by Lawrence Cordes, the son of Dramedy flew under the radar leading up to the Plate, but the Ontario-bred bay, in his first stakes test, landed in the winner’s circle courtesy of a sensational coast-to-coast score in the $1 million classic.
The official fractions of the running of the Queen’s Plate: 23:57, 47:61, 1:12.70, 1:37.50, the top three finishers: Mighty Heart, Belichick, Clayton and the final time of 2:01.98. The one-eyed Dramedy-Emma’s Bullseye colt is trained by Josie Carroll for owner/breeder Lawrence Cordes.
Josie Carroll, trainer of Mighty Heart
Mighty Heart, what a performance. Led the whole way. What did you think?
Josie Carroll (JC): “I was concerned for a minute or two with the quick fractions but he looked like he was settling and doing it easily. We knew he’d go all day and he sure did.”
This horse has captured the imagination of racing fans because of his handicap with the one eye. Tell us what that means.
JC: “You know what, he’s just a very exciting horse who’s come a long way for Mr. Cordes, who’s had a lot of confidence in him from the start.”
What does this mean for the connections of this horse?
JC: “This is a big, big day for them. I’m very happy for them.”
Daisuke Fukumoto, jockey aboard Mighty Heart
Your first ride in a Queen’s Plate and you win it. How does that feel?
Daisuke Fukumoto (DF): “Unbelievable! I can’t explain…he’s feeling good today, he bolt good. I saw that nobody [was leaving] so I just sent him and he just kept going. After the wire, he still kept going, he didn’t stop there.”
The fractions were fast, did you realize how quick you were going?
DF: “Yeah, he was sharp today. I thought it was fast, but I took the lead so I can’t do anything, you know…I let him go. He only has one eye, but he’s got a big heart, a mighty heart.”
Wando, in 2003, was the last horse to sweep the series and the seventh since its exception in 1959.
Mighty Heart returned $28.50, $13.80 and $8.20, combining with Belichick ($20.90, $12.10) for a $730.40 (13-3) exactor. A 13-3-12 (Clayton, $4.20 to show) triactor paid $1,878.70 for a $1 ticket, while a $1 Superfecta [13-3-12-14 (Tecumseh’s War)] was worth $19,389.75.
Photo Credit: Michael Burns
