It wasn’t meant to be, but longshot Mighty Heart ran swiftly and gracefully, reaching the end first with a 2:01.98 time and defeating Queen’s Plate former favorite Clayton.
Mighty Heart and jockey Daisuke Fukomoto secured the $1,000.000 prize with a strategy that seemed both risky and natural at the same time. Mighty Heart had an energized start to the race, which Fukumoto failed in mitigating: “He was very sharp so I just let him go. I tried to calm him a little bit after the wire… he kept going, he didn’t stop there”
Ultimately, the one-eyed horse’s kept strong, and was able to overcome favorite Clayton & the rest of the competition.
Mighty Heart suffered an accident that cost him an eye during his foal years, but this didn’t appear to hinder him from meeting his destiny, moreover, Mighty Heart has proven to all that have come in contact with him that his name is more than deserved: “He knew it was a big race, that’s why he was a sharp. I am lucky. He only has one eye but he’s got a big heart, a mighty heart” commented Fukimoto at the end of the race.
RISKY STRATEGY
Running to the early lead wasn’t part of Fukumotos or Carroll’s plans, far from it: “I was watching the fractions and I’m thinking ‘You’re maybe going a little quick out there. Back it off a little” said Carroll about her initial reactions, “But the horse seemed to be running along pretty easily.” remarked Carroll, and so, Mighty Heart ended up with the victory and the audiences rejoiced in the upset.
This is Carroll’s third win at the Queen’s Plate and the first-time ever for Fukumoto. Mighty Hearts pre-race odds had kept around 13/1.
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