Mitole makes Churchill Downs Stakes his sixth straight win

Mitole stamped himself as one of the East's top sprinters on Saturday, running down the center of the track to capture the Grade 1, $500,000 Churchill Downs Stakes on the Kentucky Derby undercard.

Under jockey Ricardo Santana Jr., the 4-year-old by Eskendereya closely stalked the leaders from the three path, then took over when asked to finish seven furlongs in 1:21.21.

This time, Mitole dispatched Bobby’s Wicked One and Promises Fulfilled, who ran evenly through opening fractions of 22.38 and 44.71. Whitmore — an older gelding Mitole defeated last time in Oaklawn Park’s Count Fleet (G3) — ran fourth in the field of 11.

"Today, we knew there was a lot of speed," Santana Jr. said.

Hence rating Mitole just off the pace.

"“He’s a very fast horse," said trainer Steve Asmussen, "but he’s relaxed.”

Mitole missed most of his sophomore season due to injury but hasn’t lost since before sidelined, now on a roll of six straight victories. Next, per Asmussen, could be the Met Mile (G1) on the Belmont Stakes undercard. It's the same destination as the Todd Pletcher-trained Coal Front and McKinzie, winner of this weekend's Alysheba (G2).

“The only thing I’m worried about is not running him when he’s doing this good," Asmussen said. “...I think we all know what will be next after what he did today. As long as the horse is telling us he’s as ready as he was today, we’ll gladly be there.”

Asmussen trains Mitole for William and Corinne Heiligbrodt, Texans who campaign their horses in white and burnt orange silks.

Certainly, there are hopes now Mitole can later this season meet the two-time reigning sprint champion Roy H and X Y Jet, winner of the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1), in the Breeders' Cup, this year held at Santa Anita Park.