TORONTO, October 13, 2020 – Capturing the hearts of racing fans across the nation, the one-eyed Mighty Heart is on a quest to become just the eighth horse to win the OLG Canadian Triple Crown. Trained by Hall of Fame horsewoman Josie Carroll and owned by Lawrence Cordes, the homebred three-year-old Dramedy colt has already conquered two-thirds of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown and is targeting the 129th running of the $400,000 Breeders’ Stakes, 1-1/2-mile final jewel on turf, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24 at Woodbine Racetrack. Woodbine’s award-winning track photographer Michael Burns captured all the action from the historic first two legs as Mighty Heart and jockey Daisuke Fukumoto conquered the 161st running of the $1 million Queen’s Plate (1-1/4 miles on Tapeta) on Saturday, Sept. 12 at Woodbine Racetrack and the 85th edition of the $400,000 Prince of Wales Stakes (1-3/16 miles on dirt) on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at Fort Erie Race Track. Mighty Heart breezes under jockey Daisuke Fukumoto in advance of The Queen’s Plate. (Michael Burns Photo) Mighty Heart’s quest for OLG Canadian Triple Crown glory begins as the gates open and he breaks from post 13 in the 161st running of the $1 million Queen’s Plate at Woodbine Racetrack on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. (Michael Burns Photo) The field of 14 Canadian-bred three-year-olds race in front of the grandstand for the first time in the 1-1/4-mile stakes race over the Tapeta course at Woodbine Racetrack. Fans watched and wagered on this year’s Queen’s Plate at home and online as the event was spectator-free due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Michael Burns Photo) Mighty Heart and jockey Daisuke Fukumoto lead the field of 14 in the first turn of The Queen’s Plate. (Michael Burns Photo) Mighty Heart and Fukumoto on top in the first turn of The Queen’s Plate. (Michael Burns Photo) Mighty Heart and Fukumoto continue to lead down the backstretch in The Queen’s Plate. (Michael Burns Photo) Mighty Heart leading in the final turn of The Queen’s Plate. (Michael Burns Photo) The field turns for home in The Queen’s Plate. (Michael Burns Photo) Mighty Heart powers away from his rivals down the stretch in the The Queen’s Plate. (Michael Burns Photo) Mighty Heart, at odds of 13-1, winning the 161st running of the $1 million Queen’s Plate, first jewel of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown, in 2:01.98 by 7-1/2 lengths over stablemate Belichick and Plate Trial winner Clayton. (Michael Burns Photo) Jockey Daisuke Fukumoto celebrates winning The Queen’s Plate aboard Mighty Heart by blowing kisses and giving a first pump. (Michael Burns Photo) Fukumoto celebrates winning The Queen’s Plate aboard Mighty Heart by blowing kisses and giving a first pump. (Michael Burns Photo) Fukumoto celebrates winning The Queen’s Plate aboard Mighty Heart by blowing kisses and giving a first pump. (Michael Burns Photo) Mighty Heart’s connections celebrate their Queen’s Plate victory in the G.H. Mumm winner’s circle at Woodbine Racetrack. (Michael Burns Photo) Jim Lawson (fourth from right), President and CEO of Woodbine Entertainment, and The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell (fifth from right), Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, present The Queen’s Plate trophy to the connections of Mighty Heart. (Michael Burns Photo) Owner/breeder Lawrence Cordes, jockey Daisuke Fukumoto and trainer Josie Carroll pose with The Queen’s Plate trophy in the winner’s circle following Mighty Heart’s victory. (Michael Burns Photo) Mighty Heart continues his pursuit of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown by winning the $400,000 Prince of Wales Stakes on September 29, 2020 by 2-1/2 lengths over Clayton in 1:55.59 for 1-3/16 miles on dirt at Fort Erie Race Track. (Michael Burns Photo) Mighty Heart and jockey Daisuke Fukumoto at the finish line in the Prince of Wales Stakes. (Michael Burns Photo) Owner/breeder Lawrence Cordes and the winning connections lead Prince of Wales Stakes champion Mighty Heart to the Fort Erie winner’s circle. (Michael Burns Photo) Hall of Fame trainer Josie Carroll hoists the Prince of Wales Stakes trophy in the winner’s circle after Mighty Heart conquered the second leg of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown. (Michael Burns Photo) Jockey Daisuke Fukumoto poses with Prince of Wales Stakes champion Mighty Heart as the one-eyed wonder is cooled off after conquering two-thirds of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown. (Michael Burns Photo) OLG Canadian Triple Crown contender Mighty Heart heads out of the Josie Carroll barn for a morning work in preparation for the 129th running of the $400,000 Breeders’ Stakes, the 1-1/2-mile final jewel on Woodbine’s E.P. Taylor Turf Course, scheduled for October 24, 2020. (Michael Burns Photo) Mighty Heart worked four furlongs in :52 on the main track at Woodbine on Saturday, Oct. 10 as he continues his quest to become just the eighth horse to win the OLG Canadian Triple Crown and first since Wando completed the series sweep in the 2003 Breeders’ Stakes for jockey Patrick Husbands, trainer Michael Keogh and the late owner/breeder Gustav Schickedanz. (Michael Burns Photo) Share This:Share
