Mitole a speedy standout in Bachelor

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The Racing Festival of the South could have a fast start Thursday – literally.

Mitole is one of the quickest horses on the grounds at Oaklawn and he will bring his raw speed into the $150,000 Bachelor. The six-furlong race for 3-year-olds launches the $3.5 million Festival, a series of seven stakes over the final three dates of the meet, which closes Saturday with the running of the Arkansas Derby.

Mitole has made a splash this meet at Oaklawn, where he has won a maiden special weight and an allowance with respective Beyer Speed Figures of 96 and 97. He will attempt to become a stakes winner in the Bachelor.

“He has a tremendous amount of talent,” said trainer Steve Asmussen. “He is as fast as a 3-year-old can be. We feel like this is a good chance for him. We’re going to keep him sprinting for now.”

Mitole, a Triple Crown nominee, will break from the rail in a field of seven. Others set to start include Bourne in Nixa, who won the $125,000 Gazebo in February over Mitole; Best of Greeley, who was a sharp allowance winner March 1 at Oaklawn for trainer Gary Thomas; and statebred stakes winners Tin Badge and Mr. Jagermeister.

Mitole won a maiden special weight by 10 lengths Feb. 3, covering six furlongs in a blazing 1:09.75. The win came in his third start. One race later, Mitole made his stakes debut in the Gazebo. After stumbling at the start, he recovered, set a quick pace, and finished second. He returned to action in a first-level allowance March 17 and smoked his rivals by seven lengths while covering six furlongs in 1:09.16.

Mitole is a son of Eskendereya out of the Indian Charlie mare Indian Miss. Bill Heiligbrodt, who races the colt with his wife, Corinne, purchased him at an Ocala, Fla., auction for $140,000.

“He was recommended by David McKathan at last year’s OBS April sale as being the real deal, Mr. Heiligbrodt purchased him, and it has been all good since,” said Asmussen.

Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount on Mitole.

Trainer Steve Margolis has been pointing Bourne in Nixa for the Bachelor since his 1 3/4-length win in the Gazebo. The horse shipped in from Fair Grounds for the race and has since worked over the local strip, going a half-mile in 48.60 seconds April 4 at Oaklawn. Ramon Vazquez again has the mount for Robert and Lawana Low, who later this week will seek to win the Arkansas Derby with the Todd Pletcher-trained Magnum Moon.

Supreme Aura will add blinkers for trainer Mike Stidham, who is turning the horse back from a route. The horse is a perfect 2 for 2 at the six-furlong distance of the Bachelor. Gary Stevens has the mount Thursday.