Undefeated Army Mule retired, will stand at Hill 'n' Dale

The unbeaten but lightly raced Army Mule, away from the races since winning the Grade 1 Carter Handicap in April, has been retired and will enter stud at Hill 'n' Dale Farm in 2019, the farm announced Saturday afternoon. He will stand for a fee of $10,000.

Army Mule, a Pennsylvania-bred son of successful young Maryland sire Friesan Fire, was an $825,000 purchase at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-olds in training sale, and was trained by Todd Pletcher for St. Elias Stable. He won his career debut by 8 1/2 lengths in April 2017 at Belmont Park, but then a knee issue kept him away from the races until January 2018, when he won an allowance-optional event at Gulfstream by 7 1/2 lengths. Off that, he stepped up to Grade 1 company in the Carter Handicap in April, winning by 6 1/4 lengths over Awesome Slew. His Beyer Speed Figure of 114 for the seven-furlong race remains the best on dirt at up to a mile in 2018.

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Army Mile was being pointed to the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap in June at Belmont, but another issue developed and he was ultimately sent for a break on a farm in Ocala. He returned to the worktab on Sept. 1 at Saratoga, and logged four breezes there last month before his retirement was announced.

"From the moment I watched the video of his work at the Timonium sale, I was determined to have Army Mule in our stable," St Elias owner Vinnie Viola said in a release. "His performance on the track, culminating in a dominating win in the Carter Handicap with his 114 Beyer, confirmed our decision to bid aggressively for him. Army Mule retires as an undefeated Grade 1 winner. Our confidence in him was rewarded, and, with his racing performance and beautiful physical, we look forward to Army Mule going on to a great stud career at Hill 'n' Dale, where we are excited to support him."