Mighty Heart gave all in Breeders' Stakes, wasn't enough

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - It’s hard to win any Triple Crown, especially the Canadian Triple Crown, which is contested on three different surfaces. Everything has to go perfectly, which wasn’t the case in Mighty Heart’s bid for the sweep in Saturday’s $401,200 Breeders’ Stakes.

Mighty Heart broke on top in the 1 1/2-mile marathon and helped to set suicidal fractions, with the 101-1 bomb Kunal pressing him all the way over the giving turf. The race set up beautifully for his Josie Carroll-trained stablemate, Belichick, who came from 11 lengths back to win going away over the 47-1 shot Meyer.

After giving Mighty Heart flawless rides in the both Queen’s Plate and Prince of Wales Stakes, Daisuke Fukumoto drew some criticism for his Breeders’ ride, but it would have been difficult to rein-in the one-eyed colt after his keen beginning.

:: Start earning weekly cashback on your wagering today. Click to learn more.

“He broke good and I didn’t plan on going to the front,” Fukumoto said. “He was sharp like in the Queen’s Plate. I tried to take a hold and he relaxed a little bit in the backstretch, but with the mile and a half, you need stamina. He just got tired. He tried hard.”

Belichick, who ran against a speed bias when second in the Plate, realized his potential by notching his first victory in the Breeders’ in just his fourth start.

“I’ve said all along that this is a good horse,” Carroll stressed. “From the time he came in the barn, he just got over the ground like a Ferrari. I wasn’t surprised to see him jump up. He’s a big, rangy horse who’s just growing into himself. I don’t even think he’s done growing yet.”

Carroll said the victory was bittersweet, considering how close Mighty Heart came to an historic achievement.

“It’s very exciting to win with this horse, but how often do you get the opportunity to win a Triple Crown?” Carroll said. “Mighty Heart ran his little heart out. Unfortunately, he was hooked all the way and never got a chance to relax. I think he used most of his race up against one competitor.”

Carroll said she had no immediate plans for the dynamic duo, but they could reappear in the Grade 3 Ontario Derby here Nov. 22. Belichick is also eligible for a first-level allowance, which allows for non-winners of two races to compete.

“We’ll see how they come back from this race,” Carroll said. “(Mighty Heart) is a strong, healthy little horse. Belichick can be really laid back, but he’s also full of himself.”

*** The final leg of the Woodbine Turf Endurance Series failed to fill, and the Mike DePaulo-trained 5-year-old Theregoesjojo ended up winning the first prize of $25,000 after recording two wins and a second among the three races.

“Being by English Channel, they seem to get better as they get older,” said DePaulo, who’s aiming the gelding to the closing day feature on Dec. 13, the Grade 3 Valedictory Stakes.