Mindframe outruns Sierra Leone, Mystik Dan in Churchill Downs’ Stephen Foster

In a showdown of some of North America’s top older horses, Mindframe earned a one-length victory over 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Sierra Leone in the Grade 1, $1 million Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs on Saturday.

Mindframe, previously the victor in the Grade 1, $1 million Churchill Downs on the Kentucky Derby undercard, also outran First Mission (third) and 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (fourth).

Mindframe, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. for trainer Todd Pletcher and owners Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable, ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.48. The $552,420 first prize improved the colt’s lifetime earnings to $1,844,580 with a record of 5-2-0 in seven starts.

“He broke really sharp last time sprinting but we figured today might be a different scenario,” Ortiz Jr. said. “He was able to track just off the pace and had a perfect trip. He had to come running. This was a really good field today and I’m really proud the way that he finished to hold off some of the best horses in the country right now.”

Mindframe, bet down to be the 9-5 favorite, paid $5.76, $3.34 and $2.56. Sierra Leone, with Flavien Prat aboard, was second and returned $3.06 and $2.34 at odds of 2-1. First Mission, the pacesetter at 5-2, was another 1¼ lengths back in third under Luis Saez and paid $2.70 to show.

Mystik Dan was another neck back in fourth and was followed by Grade 1 Dubai World Cup winner Hit Show and 64-1 shot Ashcroft. Skippylongstocking was scratched.

“We kind of thought First Mission might go from the rail and that’s how it ended up playing out,” said Pletcher, who also won last year’s Stephen Foster with Kingsbarns. “We’re just incredibly proud of him for how he was able to stretch out his natural speed today. Sierra Leone came with a huge run around the turn and he had to hold off some top-class horses and was able to do so.”

The victory in the Stephen Foster was a “Win and You’re In” race for the Grade 1, $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, which is scheduled for Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

▪ Reigning Horse of the Year and 2024 Kentucky Oaks winner Thorpedo Anna rebounded from a subpar effort in her last race to win Saturday’s 50th running of the Grade 2, $498,500 Fleur de Lis by three lengths over Royal Spa at Churchill Downs. It was a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

Thorpedo Anna ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.52 on a fast track under Brian Hernandez Jr., who rode for trainer Kenny McPeek and owners Brookdale Racing Inc., Mark Edwards, Judy B. Hicks and Magdalena Racing.

“We’re just so happy to get her back to her top form,” McPeek said. “We’re so proud of her effort today.”

Prior to the Fleur de Lis, Thorpedo Anna finished seventh in the Grade 1 Fasig-Tipton La Troienne, where she was bumped repeatedly into the first turn.

“She’s an incredible filly, there’s not much more you can say about her,” Hernandez Jr. said. “I was just a passenger today and tried to stay out of her way. She had a really good trip today and just showed who we all know she is.”

Thorpedo Anna paid $2.70, $2.28 and $2.10 as the odds-on 1-4 betting favorite. Royal Spa, with jockey Flavien Prat aboard, paid $2.94 and $2.12 as the 7-2 second betting choice. Taxed, at 14-1 under Rafael Bejarano, was another 4¼ lengths back in third and returned $2.82.

Gin Gin and Save Time rounded out the field.

It was the ninth graded stakes win of Thorpedo Anna’s career. Her tremendous 3-year-old season featured victories in the Grade 1, $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks; Grade 1, $500,000 Acorn; Grade 1, $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks; Grade 1, $1 million Cotillion; and Grade 1, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff. She also finished second, beaten a head by Fierceness, against males in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers.

Her 2025 campaign began with victories in the Grade 2, $400,000 Azeri and Grade 1, $1.25 million Apple Blossom at Oaklawn.

“I think we’ll run her next at Saratoga in the Personal Ensign and then back at Keeneland for the Spinster,” McPeek said. “Who knows? If she goes through both of those hoops, maybe we’d run her in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.”