'Bred to go longer,' Mitole gives owner high Met Mile hopes

L. William and Corinne Heiligbrodt's Mitole, unbeaten in six races dating back to March 2018, will put that win streak on the line when he stretches out to the one-mile distance for the first time in Saturday's Grade 1, $1.2 million Metropolitan Handicap. 

Mitole, who was given time off after winning the 2018 Chick Lang Stakes on the Preakness undercard, has come back even stronger as a 4-year-old. After winning two races easily at Oaklawn Park to start the year, he had no trouble making the step up to Grade 1 competition when he bested a quality field by 3 ½ lengths in the May 44 Churchilll Downs Stakes.

The last out win garnered high praise from his owner William Heilighbrodt, who has been in racing more than 30 years and has campaigned several top sprinters, including Posse and Ladytak.

"I've been in racing a long time, and he's the fastest I've ever had," Heiligbrodt said. "He's an unusual horse in the way he runs and trains. He never looks like he's going as fast as he is. He just does things so easy." 

Mitole successfully stretched out to seven furlongs in the Churchill Downs, and Heiligbrodt is confident the colt can handle the one-turn mile. But he'll face not only other top sprinters but the likes of top distance horses in multiple Grade 1 winner McKinzie and two-time Dubai World Cup winner Thunder Snow.

"This will be a big test for him," Heiligbrodt said. "He's never been to Belmont. He's never been this far. And, he's never faced this kind of competition. There's plenty of competition in this field. But, he is bred to go longer. We have big hopes that he'll run well. I'm looking forward to the race."