Mindframe continues ascent in Stephen Foster

As the racing season begins its second half next week, owner Mike Repole and trainer Todd Pletcher hold pocket aces in the older male dirt division. In addition to champion Fierceness, Mindframe is their other strong card following his victory in Saturday's $940,000 Stephen Foster (G1) at Churchill Downs.

Slightly favored in the nine-furlong Foster off a blanket-finish victory over a sloppy track in the May 3 Churchill Downs (G1) going seven furlongs, Mindframe handled fast conditions and the extra quarter mile as expected. Stalking just behind pacesetter First Mission until the stretch, Mindframe seized command approaching the eighth pole and held on to win by a length over Sierra Leone, who denied Fierceness the three-year-old title last year when winning the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).

By virtue of winning the Stephen Foster, Mindframe guaranteed his spot in this year's Classic, which again will be held at Del Mar.

Owned by Repole in partnership with St. Elias Stables, Mindframe paid $5.76 to win after completing the course in 1:47.48, roughly one second faster than Thorpedo Anna ran nine furlongs in taking the Fleur de Lis earlier in the card.

Sierra Leone, making his first start since finishing a dull third in the New Orleans Classic (G2) three months ago, grinded his way into second but never seriously threatened for the win. First Mission finished third, while 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan again enjoyed an ideal ground-saving trip but lacked any punch despite having plenty of room on the inside.

Following Mystik Dan under the wire were Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Hit Show and the overmatched Ashcroft.

A Maryland-bred son of Constitution, Mindframe now has five wins and two seconds from seven lifetime starts. Last season, Mindframe won his first two starts in overnight company and then was tossed into the Belmont (G1), which he lost by only a half-length to Dornoch while finishing one length ahead of Sierra Leone.

Mindframe again finished second to Dornoch in the Haskell (G1) before hitting the sidelines, but has now come back with three consecutive stakes wins. He kicked off his campaign in early March, taking the Gulfstream Park Mile (G1) by 1 1/4 lengths.

Mindframe cost $600,000 as a Keeneland September yearling and has now bankrolled more than $1.84 million. He appears more than capable of padding that total considerably in the coming months.