Pletcher's Army Mule looks like a star in Carter Handicap romp

A week after an American horse failed to stand out in the Dubai World Cup, lightly raced Army Mule put his bid in as one to watch moving forward in the classic division.

Stepping up to stakes for the first time in Aqueduct’s Grade 1, $400,000 Carter Handicap, the Todd Pletcher trainee romped by 6 1/4 lengths to a win under jockey Joe Bravo.

Rallying from just off a blistering opening half mile of 44.93 seconds, St. Elias Stable’s Army Mule found room on the rail and widened his advantage through the stretch, topping a field of 11 in style.

“It’s not a move that we often make, from a ‘one other than’ to a Grade 1, but his last race was so powerful that we felt like, let’s come up with a game plan," said Pletcher, who indicated the prestigious Met Mile "would make sense" for this horse.

Making the move from six to seven furlongs in his third career start, the son of Friesan Fire posted a flashy final time of 1:20.94 in the Carter. It was well back to Awesome Slew in second, with Great Stuff third.

Army Mule won his April 30, 2017, debut at Belmont Park by 8 1/2 lengths. Though he didn’t return to the races until Jan. 31 of this year, the 4-year-old appeared just as dominant facing winners, prevailing by 7 1/2 lengths at Gulfstream Park.

Afterward, Pletcher called Army Mule a “special talent,” adding that “the sky’s the limit if he stays healthy.” That was plenty evident Saturday.

"He was so relaxed and quiet behind horses," Bravo said. "I was kind of looking to try to get outside because it seemed like the other races were going down the middle of the track. Everybody starting coming outside and they took up those positions and in two jumps, he was able to jump through that hole and go by there, because that's what good horses do."