Inexperience proves no obstacle to Army Mule in Carter

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – On a day devoted to finding the next 3-year-old route sensation, a star was born in the older male sprint division.

The 4-year-old Army Mule, who had made just two starts before Saturday, put in a scintillating performance, winning the Grade 1 Carter Handicap by 6 1/4 lengths over Awesome Slew at Aqueduct. It was 3 1/4 lengths back to Great Stuff in third. On a track that yielded slow times most of the day, Army Mule ran seven furlongs in 1:20.94. It was the fastest Carter since Forest Danger won this race in 1:20.54 in 2005. Like Forest Danger, Army Mule is trained by Todd Pletcher.

“I don’t think the track’s that fast today, for him to go 1:20-and-four he’s something really special,” said Pletcher, who has won this race three times.

Army Mule, a son of Friesan Fire owned by Vinnie Viola’s St. Elias Stable, won his debut last April 30 but developed a problem in a knee that forced him to the sidelines. He didn’t return to the races until January at Gulfstream Park, where he romped to victory in an allowance race. The Carter became the target after that despite the fact he was conceding experience to many solid horses.

“We felt good coming into the race, my biggest concern was this was only his third start and he was giving up a lot of seasoning to a lot of horses,” Pletcher said. “He had shown us he deserved the chance and it worked out.”

Breaking from post 2 under Joe Bravo, Army Mule took up a stalking position behind Red Dragon Tattoo and Green Gratto, and inside of Skyler’s Scramjet. Red Dragon Tattoo and Green Gratto ran a half-mile in 44.93 seconds.

Bravo, noting that the majority of the dirt races were won by horses coming down the outside paths in the stretch, tried to get Army Mule to the outside. But there was no chance to do that.

When an opening presented itself turning for home, Bravo guided Army Mule on through and in a matter of three strides Army Mule exploded to the front. Bravo put Army Mule in the middle of the track in the final three-sixteenths and he was never threatened.

“Did you see the move he made?” said Bravo, who was riding Army Mule for the first time. “In two jumps, he was able to jump through that hole and go by there. That’s what good horses do.”

Army Mule returned $6.20 as the second choice.

John Velazquez knew Army Mule was a good horse having ridden him to victory in his debut. He could not ride Army Mule in his second start, and Velazquez’s agent, Angel Cordero Jr., had already given trainer Mark Casse a commitment to ride Awesome Slew in the Carter.

Awesome Slew, seventh early, rallied widest of all in the stretch and while he finished a clear second he was no match for the winner.

“He had a good trip, I ran into a monster, Velazquez said. “We knew this for a long time. I told Angel 'I think that’s a serious horse.' He showed it.”

Pletcher said that Army Mule would be pointed to the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park on June 9.