Mitole draws off impressively in Oaklawn Park's Bachelor Stakes

William and Corinne Heiligbrodt’s Mitole did not disappoint as the heavy 2-5 favorite in Thursday’s $150,000 Bachelor Stakes, drawing off impressively to give leading rider Ricardo Santana Jr. his 1,001st career victory. Earlier on the card, Santana reached the 1,000-win milestone aboard Westfest, who like Mitole is trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen. Overall, he ended the day with three wins and 1,002 career victories.

“I am feeling really blessed to win my 1000th race,” Santana said. “This is my dream coming true and it wouldn’t have happened without Steve Asmussen. He has supported me and given me a great opportunity. I also have to thank God for my 1000th race.”

Using the rail post to his advantage, Mitole broke on top and he and Santana never looked back, setting early fractions of :21.32 and :44.22 for the first half mile. Once he hit the stretch, Mitole hit another gear and drew away from this competition to win by seven lengths in 1:08.41, the fastest six furlong time of the meet. Mr. Jagermeister was second and Supreme Aura was third.

“I thought Ricardo (Santana) did a great job with him away from the gates,” Asmussen said. “I think that he handled everything really well after that. Just very fortunate to have an extremely fast horse for the Heiligbrodts (William and Corinne). He has run three tremendous (winning) races here - four starts with his second in the Gazebo being one as well. But, he has obviously run very fast times and saved his best for today.”

Mitole, a 3-year-old Eskendereya colt, improved his record to 6-3-2-1 and has now earned $228,710. He returned $2.80, $2.20 and $2.10.