Mindframe Wins $1M Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs

Mindframe, a 4-year-old Constitution colt trained by Todd Pletcher, won the Grade 1, $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs, solidifying his status as a top contender in the older horse division and earning an automatic berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. described the race as the most professional in his career, as Mindframe stalked the pace set by First Mission before taking the lead in mid-stretch and holding off last year's Breeders' Cup Classic winner Sierra Leone by one length. The race featured a slow early pace, which allowed Mindframe to conserve energy and prevail against a star-studded field including 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan and Dubai World Cup winner Hit Show. Mindframe, owned by Mike Repole and Vincent Viola, paid $5.76 as the favorite and completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.48 on a fast track. This victory marked Mindframe's second consecutive Grade 1 win, enhancing his already secured future as a stallion at Claiborne Farm. The Stephen Foster Stakes win confirms Mindframe's ability to compete at the highest level in longer distance races and cements his place among the elite older horses this season.