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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Repole Stables' Mindframe, Fierceness Work Toward Saratoga Grade 1s
Repole Stables' Mindframe, Fierceness Work Toward Saratoga Grade 1s originally appeared on Paulick Report. Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables' Mindframe, the last-out Grade 1 Stephen Foster-winner on June 28 at Churchill Downs, completed his first breeze back when covering a half-mile in 52.46 seconds on Friday, July 18, over the main track at Saratoga Race by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, the 4-year-old Constitution dark bay currently leads the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll following wins in the nine-furlong Stephen Foster and the seven-furlong G1 Churchill Downs on May 3. Mindframe is 3-for-3 this year, also capturing the G2 Gulfstream Park Mile in March, among his 7-5-2-0 lifetime record with over $1.8 million in earnings.'We were just looking to get an easy half in, he went by himself,' Pletcher said of Friday's work. 'He does whatever you ask him to do. He is cool that way. He goes easy if you want him to go easy, fast if you want him to go fast.' On Aug. 2, Saratoga hosts the G1, $1 million Whitney, a nine-furlong main track test for older horses, offering a 'Win and You're In' berth to the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic in November at Del Mar. The question for Pletcher has been whether or not Mindframe could run there alongside Fierceness, who has been reported to be targeting the race for Repole Stable, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor, and Mrs. John Magnier.'I've got to gather up with the connections. We are still a couple weeks away, but he is a fit horse coming out of the Foster win. We don't have to do a lot with him if we did decide to run in the Whitney,' Pletcher if he'd like running Mindframe and Fierceness against each other in the Whitney, Pletcher said, 'Ideally, no. We'd split them up, so if we decide to wait for the [G1] Jockey Club Gold Cup with him [Mindframe], that would be one way of splitting them up.'The G1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup, a 10-furlong 'Win and You're In' event for the Breeders' Cup Classic, is run on Aug. 31 at the Spa.'Fierceness hasn't run since the Met Mile, so we have always been pointing him towards the Whitney,' Pletcher said. Fierceness worked Friday over the main track, covering five furlongs in 1:01.70 in company with Dreamlike.'He worked terrific today. He is giving us every indication he is on target for it [the Whitney],' said Pletcher. 'I'd say if he stays that way, that would probably give us a good reason to wait a little longer on Mindframe and give him a little extra time off a huge effort shipping to Churchill.' Fierceness, the multiple G1-winning 4-year-old City of Light colt and the 2023 Champion 2-Year-Old Male, last ran second in the one-mile G1 Metropolitan Handicap here after a track-record setting win in the 1 1/16-mile G2 Alysheba on May 2 at Churchill Downs.'I thought he worked terrific, like he always does, he finished up nicely and put in a huge gallop out, moving great, doing everything you'd like to see,' Pletcher has earned in excess of $4.5 million through an 11-6-2-1 record, including a head score over subsequent Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna in the G1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers in August here. This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Forbes
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Stephen Foster Stakes All About A Mindframe
Mind frame proved himself as a classic distance horse in the Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs The Stephen Foster has long been a Stakes race that showcases talent. Sometimes it has been an affirmation race and for others it serves as an arrival. The 44th running of this test for older horses at Churchill Downs on June 28 was a red-carpet rendition for a runner that has now arrived as a major player in the Classic distance division. An imposing figure physically, Mindframe came into the $1 million Foster as a runner with considerable potential, but still unproven at the classic distances of a mile and an eighth or better. Unraced at two and having been just about a length and a half away from grade 1 glory in both the Belmont Stakes and Haskell Invitational at three, his four-year old campaign had began with graded stakes wins at a mile (Gulfstream Park Mile) and seven furlongs (Churchill Downs Stakes). Yes, his four wins and two seconds in six lifetime starts were impressive, but could this somewhat lightly raced Maryland-bred get it done at that longer distance? As a 'win and you're in' qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Classic, the Foster, with perhaps the saltiest field in race history, served as an excellent proving ground. Always considered as being of a talented Mindframe, this Todd Petcher trained son of Constitution responded in a big way. Facing the 2024 Kentucky Derby champ, 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic winner, 2025 Oaklawn Handicap victor, and 2025 Dubai World Cup winner, the Mindframe had to be right. Understanding the field he was facing, jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. immediately put his horse in the race as he stalked a somewhat moderate early pace (23.94 opening quarter, 47.94 half mile) set by First Mission. As the race unfolded, the talent exuded and the pace quickened. Rolling through quicker fractions for the next two quarter miles (23.53 third and 23.47 fourth), Pletcher's masterfully prepared runner assumed command and opened up by two lengths at the top of the stretch. As his powerful stride lengthened and the wire drew ever closer, it was obvious this multi-talented grandson of Street Sense is the Mindframe he was thought to be. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. handled his Mindframe in fine fashion Finishing a geared down length ahead Sierra Leone, Mindframe picked up $552,420 in earnings along with his third win of 2025 in three starts at three different distances. Having been bet down to post time favoritism, this Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables owned four-year-old returned $5.76 on a $2 win wager. 'What a fantastic effort against a stellar field', says trainer Todd Pletcher. 'To win back-to-back grade 1 races at seven furlongs and then nine furlongs is a remarkable achievement.' With an automatic berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic secured, the next steps toward those World Championships are to be determined. But what the 44th running of the Foster proved was if the Mindframe is right, the sky is the limit.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mindframe Defeats All-Star Cast In Stephen Foster
Mindframe Defeats All-Star Cast In Stephen Foster originally appeared on Paulick Report. Mindframe's future as a stallion at the Hancock family's Claiborne Farm had already been determined, but the 4-year-old Constitution colt further enhanced his resume on Saturday with a second consecutive Grade 1 victory over a top-class field in the $1-million Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Advertisement In what jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. called the "most professional race in his whole career," Mindframe tracked pacesetter First Mission from the start, moved to the front in mid-stretch, then held off late-running Sierra Leone – last year's G1 Breeders' Cup Classic winner – by one length. First Mission, coming off a win in the G2 Oaklawn Handicap, held third, 1 1/4 lengths farther back and a neck ahead of 2024 G1 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan in fourth. Hit Show, winner of this year's G1 Dubai World Cup, finished fifth, with Ashcroft, the final Grade 1 entry for trainer D. Wayne Lukas, finishing last. Skippylongstocking was scratched. Favored at 9-5, Mindframe paid $5.76 to win after covering nine furlongs on a fast main track in 1:47.48. First Mission set all the fractions, going the first quarter in :23.94, a half-mile in :47.94, six furlongs in 1:11.46, and a mile in 1:34.93. "We're just incredibly proud of him for how he was able to stretch out his natural speed today," said Mindframe's trainer, Todd Pletcher. "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 Stephen Foster, first run in 1982, is a "Win and You're In" Breeders' Cup Challenge Series racing, providing the winner with an automatic fees-paid berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic, to be run at Del Mar on Nov. 1. Advertisement Pletcher was winning the Stephen Foster for the second time, after taking the 2024 running with Kingsbarns. He races for the partnership of Vincent and Teresa Viola's St. Elias Stables and Mike Repole's Repole Stable. Bred in Maryland by R. Larry Johnson, Mindframe was purchased from the Betz Thoroughbreds consignment at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $800,000. He was produced from the Street Sense mare Walk of Stars. Mindframe didn't race until March 30 of his 3-year-old campaign, but it was a memorable debut, winning a seven-furlong Gulfstream Park maiden race by 13 3/4 lengths and earning a 103 Beyer Speed Figure. He was similarly impressive next out, taking a Churchill Downs allowance/optional claiming event by 7 1/4 lengths on the undercard of the Kentucky Derby won by Mystik Dan. Mindframe's Beyer Speed Figure that day was 97 compared to 100 for Mystik Dan. Five weeks later, Mindframe made his stakes debut in the G1 Belmont Stakes, run at 1 1/4 miles at Saratoga while Belmont Park was being rebuilt. Sent away at 5-1, Mindframe challenged Dornoch in the stretch, poking his head in front briefly, but then drifted out late to lose to Dornoch by a half-length. Six weeks later he tackled Dornoch again in the G1 Haskell, but the result was the same. Mindframe was given the rest of the year off because of bone bruising, but was victorious on his return in the G2 Gulfstream Park Mile March 1. Next out in the seven-furlong Churchill Downs Stakes on Kentucky Derby day, Mindframe earned his first G1 triumph, winning by a neck over dead-heat runners-up Banishing and Nysos. Advertisement "To do what he's done in his career, never finished worse than second, just missed winning a classic in his third lifetime start, won a Grade 1 at seven furlongs and now nine furlongs," said Jacob West, bloodstock manager for Claiborne Farm in Paris, Ky., where Mindframe will enter stud at the end of his racing career. What's the year-end goal for Mindframe? "He's so versatile, he can do whatever he wants, whether it be the (Dirt) Mile, the Sprint, or the Classic," West added. "He's one of those horses. Todd said it a little bit ago – he's a generational horse because of what he's been able to do." The pace scenario for the Stephen Foster changed when Saffie Joseph Jr. opted to scratch Skippylongstocking, who was expected to be the speed in the race. Luis Saez seized the advantage by sending First Mission from the inside post position, but Mindframe never allowed him to get more than a one-length advantage. Sierra Leone, meanwhile, was last early as is his custom, but approaching the far turn Flavien Prat put the Gun Runner colt into contention with a three-wide move. Mindframe slipped away to a two-length lead with a furlong to run and while Sierra Leone cut that margin to a length at the wire, he wasn't a threat to the winner. 'He broke really sharp last time sprinting but we figured today might be a different scenario," Ortiz said of Mindframe. "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.' Advertisement Prat said of Sierra Leone: "He came with a big run for me today but was just kind of grinding down the lane and just couldn't catch the winner. He tried hard but just didn't quite have enough punch today." This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Forbes
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Breaking Down The 44th Running Of The Stephen Foster Stakes
Churchill Downs will play host to the Stephen Foster Stakes on June 28 Danny Brewer The Thoroughbred racing season has many highlights. Certain events are always recognized as 'big' in the general sports fan's eyes as those are the ones they are most familiar with. What the casual horse racing fan must realize is there are many great races besides the Triple Crown Series and Breeders' Cup. As years pass and talent matriculates, certain races will be 'bigger' on certain occasions same as it is in college football. Tennessee- Alabama, Ohio State-Michigan, Florida-Georgia games are always 'big', but in certain years they are 'BIGGER' based on happenstance. The 44th running of the Stephen Foster at Churchill downs on June 28 features a talent-laden field that makes this race one of the 'BIGGER' ones on the 2025 calendar. Let's take a peek at the entrants and provide a thought on each. Horses will be listed by post position with trainer, jockey, and morning line odds. Projected post time is 6:03 eastern time and it is race 11 on the card. 1 First Mission (Brad Cox, Luis Saez 4-1 )- The trainer/jockey combo is one of the most dangerous in the game today. Having won the Oaklawn Handicap back on April 19, this son of Street Sense has six career victories and finished in the top three in nine of twelve career starts with just over $2 million in earnings. A player for sure. 2 Mindframe (Todd Pletcher, Irad Ortiz Jr. 7-2 )-Another excellent conditioner/pilot combination makes this lightly raced son of Constitution a threat. Won the 7 furlong Churchill Downs Stakes on Derby day in his last start and has two wins beneath the twin spires. With four wins and two seconds in six career starts he has to be in all your exotic wagers. 3 Skippylongstocking ( Saffie Joseph Jr., Jose Ortiz 6-1)-Two wins and two thirds in four starts this year. This son of Exaggerator won the Hollywood Gold Cup in his last start and was third in this race a year ago. Has banked over $3 million and his last twenty four starts have been in Stakes company. Do not think he wins but can absolutely get a piece of the pie. 4 Sierra Leone (Chad Brown, Flavian Prat 5-2)-The 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic champ makes his second start as a four-year-old and has never finished worse than third in ten career starts. This son of Gun Runner has been brilliant at times and always comes with a big late run. Sometimes it is just too late. He will be there at the end and can win if his rider gets him in the race early. Mystik Dan came home first on May 31 in the Blame Stakes at Churchill Downs Julie Clark Coady Photography 5 Mystik Dan (Kenny McPeek, Brian Hernandez Jr. 3-1)-The 2024 Kentucky Derby Champion returned to wining ways on May 31 in the Blame Stakes at Churchill. Appears to be in top form coming into this one. If jock can work out another classic rail ride this son of Goldencents will be back in the winner's circle. Our top pick here. Hit Show is one of two Brad Cox trainees running in the Foster Renee Torbitt Coady Photography 6 Hit Show (Brad Cox Florent Geroux 9-2)- This son of Candy Ride shook up the world with a closing from the clouds win in the 2025 Dubai World Cup on April 5. Fourteen of his last fifteen starts have been in Stakes company but sometimes the first start back after a trip to Dubai can be challenging. Certainly a contender in this one…as they all are. 7 Ashcroft (D Wayne Lukas Julien Leparoux 30-1)- Will be the sentimental favorite because of his trainer. Only two wins in twelve starts and none in stakes company. Not sure he belongs here but goodness knows Mr. Lukas knows a heck of a lot more about this game than perhaps anyone ever. Can't win if you ain't in.
Newsweek
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
FanDuel Promo Code: Claim $500 Belmont Stakes No-Sweat Bet This Weekend
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Bet on the Belmont Stakes today with the latest FanDuel promo code offer. Register through the links below to claim a no-sweat bet for the final leg of the Triple Crown. Below, we will look at the horses in the field, odds and handicapping tools. Unlock the best FanDuel promo code offer to make a $500 no-sweat first bet. Racing credit will be added to your account after a loss, so you can use this chance to make an aggressive bet on the winner. FanDuel Promo Code For Belmont Stakes, Primer These are the horses in the field on Saturday, along with trainers, jockeys and morning-line odds. They'll reach the starting gate at 7:04 pm ET. Hill Road, Chad Brown, Irad Ortiz Jr. (10-1) Sovereignty, Bill Mott, Junior Alvarado (2-1) Rodriguez, Bob Baffert, Mike Smith (6-1) Uncaged, Todd Pletcher, Luis Saez (30-1) Crudo, Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez (15-1) Baeza, John Shirreffs, Flavien Prat (4-1) Journalism, Michael McCarthy, Umberto Rispoli (8-5) Heart of Honor, Jamie Osborne, Saffie Osborne (30-1) The race has a purse of $2 million, with $1.2 million going to the winner. What to Know About the Race, Handicapping Tools The Belmont Stakes is at Saratoga for the second-straight year as renovations are underway at Belmont Park. It's only 1.25 miles, unlike the usual 1.5 miles. Sovereignty won the Kentucky Derby to capture the first leg of the Triple Crown. Connections decided to rest the colt for the Preakness, so he's fresher than several other contenders. Journalism won the Preakness with a powerful finish, making him the other horse that has a chance at two legs this year. We finally get to see Rodriguez following his foot bruise, which was the reason why we didn't see him in the Derby or Preakness. He's the lone horse in the field that has at least five weeks of rest. There are many ways to bet on the race. Go to the guide on FanDuel to learn about straight and exotic bets. For example, make a trifecta to select the top three finishers on Saturday. There are many races throughout the day at Saratoga, meaning you can select multiple winners with a Daily Double or Pick 3. FanDuel also has race replays, previous performance info and other handicapping tools. FanDuel Promo Code For The Belmont: Grab $500 No-Sweat Bet Prepare for the last leg of the Triple Crown by snagging a no-sweat bet. New customers in eligible states can complete these steps to make a larger bet than usual on horse racing: Create an account through the links on this page to activate the best FanDuel promo code offer for the Belmont Stakes. A code won't be needed. Enter your full legal name, date of birth, residential address and phone number to confirm your identity. Make a deposit using a debit card, online banking or another payment method. Place a no-sweat bet up to $500 on the Belmont Stakes. A losing wager will automatically release a bonus refund, which you can use toward other races next week. Be sure to opt-in to additional offers on the promotions tab, like a Money Back Special. Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up through the links in this article. See the sportsbook operator's terms and conditions for important details. Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.
