Trainer Jeff Engler’s excitement was palpable when Churchill Downs informed him that Mugatu, a fifth-place finisher in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1), had accumulated enough points to be an also-eligible for the Kentucky Derby (G1). Engler transported the colt from his base at Belterra Park in Cincinnati to Louisville, Kentucky, anticipating a potential spot in the prestigious race. However, Mugatu narrowly missed the cut, falling just one scratch short of a Derby start. Despite this, the Kentucky-bred son of Blofeld is now exceptionally prepared for what could be a career-defining performance on May 18 in the Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course. Engler expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “It’s everybody’s dream who does this. … Just to have a chance to run in it is incredible.”
Engler’s passion for horse racing ignited at the age of 14 while working on a Quarter Horse farm. After a 16-year career in corporate America, the Ohio native decided to pursue his lifelong passion for the sport. “One day I was driving home and said, ‘You know what, I’m going to do my passion.’ I just dropped it and started,” Engler recalled. He saddled his first starter on June 7, 2009, at River Downs, now known as Belterra Park, achieving his first win approximately a month later.
Engler has primarily trained horses at tracks in Ohio, Kentucky, and neighboring states, with occasional stints in Florida and California. To date, he has recorded 211 wins from 1,867 starters. A victory for Mugatu in the Preakness Stakes would mark Engler’s first graded stakes win. “It’s a tough business, it’s up and down,” Engler commented on the unpredictable nature of racing. “We’ll go from 10 horses to 25 horses back to 10 horses. … It’s a tough industry, but we’re going to keep plugging away.”
Average Joe Racing Stables, co-owners of Mugatu with Dan Wells, were among Engler’s first clients. Engler shared a high school connection with one of the partners, Chris Britton, from Liberty Township, Ohio. “Average Joe Racing is a conglomerate of seven guys who are average joe guys,” Engler explained. “They love the sport. None of them are billionaires, but they all came together and have a lot of passion for the sport. … They’ve been with me for 15 years and here we are in the Preakness.”
The team potentially found a gem in Mugatu, whom Engler acquired for $14,000 at the 2023 Ocala Breeders’ Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, working with a modest budget of $15,000 given by agent Dan Preiss. “Average Joe Racing had some good horses, but they never had a horse like this,” Engler stated. “I’ve never had a horse like this.”
Mugatu, with 12 starts, shares the distinction of being the most experienced horse in the Preakness field with Just Steel. Despite only one career victory, Engler is confident that the colt will excel as race distances increase and he consistently competes on dirt surfaces, as most of his previous starts were on turf or synthetic tracks. “I like his stride a little bit better on the dirt,” Engler noted. “He seems to be more comfortable on the dirt.”
The betting public was surprised when Mugatu, at odds of 181-1, rallied from last place to finish fifth in the Blue Grass Stakes, only 7 1/2 lengths behind the winner, Sierra Leone. Notably, all four horses that finished ahead of Mugatu competed in the Kentucky Derby. “He ran a really good race,” Engler said. “Was still coming, had a monster gallop out. (Blue Grass jockey) Joe Talamo told me this horse needs more ground.”
Engler felt Mugatu was reaching his peak performance in the lead-up to the Kentucky Derby. “He was training outstanding,” Engler said of the colt’s demeanor during Derby week at Churchill Downs. “He was on the bridle, he was enjoying it. The press and all the hoopla didn’t bother him one bit, never turned a hair. I think he enjoys being a big horse, he really likes the camera. He’s going to really up his game.”
While the ultimate test of Mugatu’s form in the Preakness remains to be seen, Engler is cherishing the journey. Though his schedule in Baltimore will be tight, Engler plans a special visit during Preakness week: “The only thing I am going to make a point to do is go see Blofeld,” he said, referring to Mugatu’s sire.
Blofeld, standing at Murmur Farm in Darlington, Maryland, for a fee of $5,000, has demonstrated impressive statistics. In 2023, he sired 30 winners from 52 starters, including two stakes winners. This year, he has already produced 20 winners from 35 starters, with two stakes winners. As of May 17, Blofeld ranks fourth on the Maryland sires list and sixth in the Mid-Atlantic region. His stud book numbers have seen a significant increase, from 35 mares in his debut season in 2018 to 86 mares in 2022 and 97 mares in 2023. “For a small sampling of horses that he has, his statistics are incredible,” Engler remarked. “He’s throwing runner after runner, winner after winner. … Now he’s getting better mares. (Mugatu winning the Preakness) would be a big help. I think he’s going to get better.”
