Churchill Downs Stakes Recap & Quotes: The Unbridled Sidney

May 02, 2025 Kevin Kerstein

Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures’ Queen Maxima uncorked a four-wide rally at the top of the stretch and then drew off to score a 3 1/2-length victory over Crown Imperial to win the 15th running of the $400,000 Unbridled Sidney (GIII) Presented by Cygames for fillies and mares Friday afternoon.

Trained by Jeff Mullins and ridden by Juan Hernandez, Queen Maxima completed the 5 ½ furlongs on a Matt Winn Turf Course rated as good in 1:01.29 to establish a course record.

Epona’s Hope set the pace with Crown Imperial and Ag Bullet in closest pursuit and Queen Maxima racing fourth and in the clear. Hernandez moved after the leaders on the far turn and took command at the head of the lane and was not threatened in the run to the finish.

A 4-year-old Florida-bred daughter of Bucchero, Queen Maxima has won five consecutive races, all with Hernandez aboard. It was her second consecutive Grade III score.

Sent off as the second choice in the field of nine, Queen Maxima returned $6.28, $4.22 and $3.08. Crown Imperial, ridden by Luis Saez, returned $13.16 and $6.56 and finished a neck in front of Epona’s Hope, who paid $4.68 to show under Joel Rosario.

It was another length back to Bling with Cloudwalker, Gavea (FR), favored Ag Bullet, Asternia and Awesome Treat following in order.

UNBRIDLED SIDNEY QUOTES

Juan Hernandez (Jockey, Queen Maxima, winner) – “I just like to let her run where she's comfortable to be. The inside horses were way faster than me. It was a really smooth ride. She was traveling beautifully. At the quarter pole, I switched my stick and she took off again.”

Jeff Mullins (Trainer, Queen Maxima, winner) – “She’s a good filly. We knew that right from the start; her first race at Del Mar she came running on and won. She’s been winning races ever since. Out on the race track she’s a tiger. Back at the barn she’s a princess. She’s special.”