Croll chose to skip the Preakness Stakes on May 21 and instead entered Holy Bull in the prestigious Metropolitan Handicap, popularly known as the Met Mile, against older horses on May 30. The field included the 1993 Belmont Stakes winner Colonial Affair, multiple stakes winner Devil His Due and the fast improving Cherokee Run, who would go on to be named the champion sprinter of 1994. In one of his best performances, Holy Bull quickly took the lead and drew off to win by lengths, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 122. "I still can't explain the Derby," said Smith. "But today he came out and showed what he is, like he always does – except for the first Saturday in May. He broke well and, every time I asked him to pick it up, he picked it up."