Churchill Downs Stephen Foster Day Stakes Recaps and Quotes: Mindframe Stout in Epic Grade I, $1 Million Stephen Foster

Jun 28, 2025

In what was billed as one of the best races of the year and a showdown of North America’s top older horses, Mindfame, winner of the $1 million Churchill Downs (GI) on the Kentucky Derby undercard, cemented his status as a major player in 2025 with a one-length triumph over Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) winner Sierra Leone in Saturday’s 44th running of the $1 million Stephen Foster (Grade I) at Churchill Downs.

Mindframe clocked 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.48, which is the fourth fastest renewal only behind Victory Gallop’s 1:47.28 in 1999, Tom’s d’Etat’s 1:47.30 in 2020 and Fort Larned’s 1:47.45 in 2013.

Irad Ortiz Jr. rode the winner for trainer Todd Pletcher and owners Repole Stable (Mike Repole) and St. Elias Stable (NHL’s Florida Panthers owner Vinny Viola).

The lofty $552,420 first prize lifted the dark bay or brown Maryland-bred colt’s earnings to $1844,580 from a record of 5-2-0 in seven starts.

Mindframe, bet down to 9-5 favoritism, rewarded his backers with mutuels of $5.76, $3.34 and $2.56. Sierra Leone, last year’s Champion 3-Year-Old Male with Flavien Prat aboard, was second and returned $3.06 and $2.34 at odds of 2-1. First Mission, the Oaklawn Handicap (GII) winner and pacesetter at 5-2, was another 1 ¼ lengths back in third under Luis Saez and paid $2.70 to show.

Kentucky Derby 150 winner Mystik Dan was another neck back in fourth and was followed by Dubai World Cup (GI) winner Hit Show and 64-1 outsider Ashcroft for ailing Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Skippylongstocking was scratched.

Breaking from the rail in the compact field of five, First Mission went to the front and sat early fractions of :23.94, :47.95 and 1:11.46 as Mindframe tracked in second off his right hip with Mystik Dan getting his familiar pocket trip on the rail in fourth. First Mission picked up the pace with five furlongs to run but Ortiz aboard Mindframe didn’t bite. Sierra Leone, who was away from the gate slowly, made a strong move entering the final turn to move into third.

At the end of the last bend, Mindframe drew even with First Mission as Mystik Dan cut the corner to challenge the lead. Mindframe emerged in front with a furlong to run and had plenty left to turn back the sustained late run by Sierra Leone.

“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.”

The victory was Mineframe’s first graded stakes achievement at nine furlongs. In March, he won the $215,000 Gulfstream Park Mile (GI) before his thrilling neck victory over Banishing and Nysos in the Churchill Downs presented by Ford (GI) over seven furlongs on May 3.

“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.”

At 3, Mindframe finished a half-length back of Dornoch in the $2 million Belmont (GI) and a 1 ¼-length back of that rival in the $1 million Haskell (GI).

The victory in the Stephen Foster, a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In Classic Division” race, earned Mindframe a guaranteed spot in the starting gate for the $7 million Longines Classic (GI), which is scheduled for Nov. 1 at Del Mar. Also, his connections will have all Breeders’ Cup pre-entry and entry fees covered and could receive a travel award up to $10,000.

Mindframe is a 4-year-old son of Constitution out of the Street Sense mare Walk of Stars and was bred by R. Larry Johnson.

The Stephen Foster marked the first meeting between Sierra Leone and Mystik Dan at Churchill Downs since their dramatic three-horse photo finish in Kentucky Derby 150 where Mystik Dan edged Sierra Leone and Forever Young by a nose.

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HORSE OF THE YEAR THORPEDO ANNA BACK IN FORM FOR $498,500 FLEUR DE LIS

Reigning Horse of the Year and Kentucky Oaks 150 winner Thorpedo Anna rebounded from a subpar effort in her last race to easily win Saturday’s 50th running of the $498,500 Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis (Grade II) at Churchill Downs – a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI) – by three lengths over Royal Spa.

Thorpedo Anna clocked 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.52 on a fast track under Brian Hernandez Jr., who rode the winner for trainer Kenny McPeek and owners Brookdale Racing, Inc. (Nader Alaali), Mark Edwards, Judy B. Hicks and Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek). This was the third fastest Fleur de Lis only behind Heritage of Gold’s 1:48.26 in 2000 and Paid Up Subscriber’s 1:48.44 in 2016.

“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 a troubled seventh-place finish in the Fasig-Tipton La Troienne (GI) where she was bumped repeatedly into the first turn.

Royal Spa led the compact field of five fillies and mares through comfortable early fractions of :23.43 and :47.07 as Thorpedo Anna sat just off her right hip in second. Midway around the final turn, Thorpedo Anna engaged the leader as the two clipped six furlongs in 1:10.51. Thorpedo Anna took the lead at the top of the stretch and drew clear down the lane without any challenges.

“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 7-2 second betting choice. Taxed, at 14-1 under Rafael Bejarano, was another 4 ¼ lengths back in third and returned $2.82.

Gin Gin and Save Time rounded out the field.

Thorpedo Anna, a daughter of Fast Anna out of the Uncle Mo mare Sataves, improved her overall record to 11-2-0 in 14 starts, and the $308,500 first prize boosted her career earnings to $5,133,413 to rank 83rd on the all-time earnings list.

She also earned a guaranteed spot in the starting gate for the $2 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI) on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Del Mar. Also, her connections will have all Breeders’ Cup pre-entry and entry fees covered and could receive a travel award up to $10,000.

Thorpedo Anna was bred in Kentucky by her co-owner Judy Hicks.

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

Her 2025 campaign began with victories in the $400,000 Azeri (GII) and $1.25 million Apple Blossom (GI) at Oaklawn prior to her disappointing effort in the La Troienne.

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

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BRILLIANT BERTI DEFEATED SLOW PACE, SIX OTHERS IN GRADE II, $499,250 WISE DAN

Klein Racing’s homebred Brilliant Berti overcame a dawdling pace and powered home in the stretch to win Saturday’s 36th running of the $500,000 Wise Dan (Grade II) at Churchill Downs by three-quarters of a length over Taking Candy with Lagynos another nose back in third.

Ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr. and trained by Cherie DeVaux, Brilliant Berti completed 1 1/16 miles over the firm Matt Winn Turf Course in 1:43.41 – the slowest of nine editions of the Wise Dan at the distance.

DeVaux also trained the runner-up.

In his previous start, Brilliant Berti went to the front in the pace-less $275,000 Arlington (GIII) at Churchill Downs on May 31 only to be caught by Mercante to lose by a neck in the final yards. That wasn’t Brilliant Berti’s ideal running style.

Seminole Chief fell into the lead by default Saturday when it appeared that none of the seven entrants wanted to go to the front. He set measured fractions of :24.96 and :50.31 as Brilliant Berti tracked in a comfortable fourth position down the backstretch. Mi Hermano Ramano had enough of the slow fractions and made a move for the lead on the final turn after six furlongs 1:14.17. Brilliant Berti tipped out five wide to collar Mi Hermano Ramano at the eighth pole, but he had to outkick Taking Candy and Lagynos to his inside with a sixteenth of a mile to run to ensure the victory.

“In the Arlington Stakes I got floated pretty wide going into the first turn and it sort of forced me to go,” Hernandez Jr. said. “Today I was able to track just off the pace, much more to his style. He really picked it up down the lane late for me to get the job done.”

Brilliant Berti returned $6.08, $3.64 and $2.66 for his Wise Dan victory as the 2-1 favorite. Taking Candy, under Jose Ortiz, paid $5.24 and $3.54 at odds of 5-1. Lagynos, under Flavien Prat, paid $4.66 to show.

This marked the fifth stakes triumph for Brilliant Berti, who won the $350,000 Opening Verse (Listed) at Churchill Downs earlier this year. As a 3-year-old, he won the $250,000 American Derby, $1.5 million Gun Runner and $600,000 Bryan Station (GIII).

Brilliant Berti, a 4-year-old son of Noble Mission (GB) out of the Langfuhr mare Believe in Berti, was bred in Kentucky by her owner Richard Klein.

Brilliant Berti earned $303,230 for the win, which improved his career earnings to $2,170,745. He sports a record of 7-2-0 in 11 starts and is 5-for-6 over the Churchill Downs grass course.

“(Brilliant Berti) is such a testament to the Klein family and their breeding program,” DeVaux said. “So much credit goes to Richard and his family for their program. (Taking Candy) ran a huge race as well. He fought hard to get second.”

Mi Hermano Ramon and New York invader Fort Washington, the 2-1 second choice, finished a length back of Lagynos is a dead heat for fourth and were followed by Henro and Seminole Chief. Event Detail and 5-2 morning line favorite Mercante were scratched.

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ROLL ON BIG JOE GAME WINNER OF GRADE III, $220,000 KELLY’S LANDING

Roll On Big Joe collared speedster Booth at the top of the stretch and turned back late runs by 8-5 favorite Dr. Venkman and Durante to win Saturday’s 15th running of the $220,000 Kelly’s Landing (Grade III) at Churchill Downs by three-quarters of a length.

Ridden by Julien Leparoux, Roll On Big Joe clocked 6 ½ furlongs over a fast track in 1:15.22 for trainer Bob Hess Jr. and owners Rancho Temescal LLC (Tim Cohen), White Fence LLC (David Marabella) and Richard Hale Jr.

The triumph for the Florida-bred was worth $120,280 and boosted Roll On Big Joe’s bankroll to $494,400 with a record of 7-6-1 in 18 starts.

Multiple stakes winner Booth, the 9-5 second betting choice, went to the front as expected and rattled off fractions of :22.33 and :44.97 as Roll On Big Joe sat second. Roll On Big Joe began to press the leader on the turn, poked his nose in front at the top of the stretch and then had to hold off late runs by San Diego Handicap (GII) winner Dr. Venkman to his inside and Aristides winner Durante to his outside.

“I was able to sit a really good trip today, just outside the speed,” Leparoux said. “He won at this distance in his last start and was able to keep fighting all the way to the wire.”

Roll On Big Joe, who entered the race off an allowance/optional-claiming win at Churchill Downs on May 16, returned $11.90, $4.86 and $3.98 as the 9-2 third betting choice. Southern California invader Dr. Venkman, who encountered brief traffic trouble with a furlong to run under Antonio Fresu, was second, returned $3.48 and $2.92 and finished a head in front of Durante who paid $3.94 to show under Jose Ortiz at odds of 7-1.

Booth was fourth and was followed by Happy Is a Choice, Three Technique, Otto the Conqueror and Red Flag.

Roll On Big Joe is a 5-year-old gelded son of Prospective out of the Victory Gallop mare Nina’s Gift. He was bred by Max Ubide.

This was his second graded stakes win. In February, Roll On Big Joe prevailed in the $100,000 Palos Verdes (GIII) at Santa Anita.

“It was great to be able to hook up again with Julien,” Hess Jr. said. “I knew him from a couple decades ago in California. He sat a great trip and Julien gave him a perfect ride. It’s great to be here in Kentucky with him.”

The Kelly’s Landing honors the Summerplace Farm runner who earned $1,853,831 from a record of 10-3-2 in 27 starts for trainer Eddie Kenneally between 2004-09. The gelding won the six-furlong Aristides Handicap (Grade III) at Churchill Downs in 2005 by stopping the teletimer in a track record 1:07.55 (since eclipsed). His biggest victory came in the 2007 Dubai Golden Saheen at Nad Al Sheba in the United Arab Emirates. Kelly’s Landing also won the 2006 Phoenix (GIII) at Keeneland and 2007 Mr. Prospector Handicap (GIII) at Gulfstream Park.

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MINARET STATION SURGES LATE TO WIN $249,000 AMERICAN DERBY

Minaret Station returned from a 265-day layoff and surged late to defeat Native Runner and pacesetter Freedom’s Not Free in Saturday’s 110th running of the $249,000 American Derby (Listed) at Churchill Downs.

Minaret Station, who hadn’t run since winning the $250,000 Bourbon (Grade II) at Keeneland last fall, ran 1 1/16 miles over firm turf in an unhurried 1:44.29. Cristian Torres rode the winner for trainer Will Walden and owner/breeder Larry Best’s OXO Equine LLC.

Freedom’s Not Free led the field of six 3-year-olds through what track announcer Travis Stone described as “pokey” splits of :25.71, :50.74 and 1:14.75 with Minaret Station tracking in third. It looked as if Freedom’s Not Free might steal the race on the front end but Minaret Station, along with runner-up Native Runner, surged in the final yards with Minaret Station on top.

“All the credit goes to Will and everyone at the barn – from the exercise riders to his groom and hotwalker,” Torres said. “In the early part of the race he wasn’t traveling all that well but down the backside but he was able to get back in the bit. There wasn’t a lot of pace up front but I was confident turning for home he’d come with his late kick.”

The victory was worth $154,000 and increased Minaret Station’s earnings to $377,968 with a record of 3-0-1 in four starts.

“He has such a big turn of foot and that’s been his key to success,” Walden said. “I’m very thankful the owner allowed us to take our time with getting him back to the races. He definitely rewarded us today.”

Minaret Station, a Kentucky-bred son of Instilled Regard out of the Sir Prancealot (IRE) mare Beau Recall (IRE), paid $7.44, $4.38 and $2.98 as the 5-2 third betting choice. Native Runner, with Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard at 7-1, paid $6.04 and $3.16. Freedom’s Not Free, ridden by Antonio Fresu, was another half-length back in third and returned $2.74.

Siesta Key was fourth and 7-5 favorite Tiztastic, compromised by the slow pace, was last. Anegada, Flying Mohawk, Giocoso and Soleil Volant were scratched.

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LUSH LIPS (GB) DOMINATES $210,000 TEPIN WITH POWERFUL CLOSING KICK

Lush Lips (GB) displayed a powerful closing kick and rallied to an easy 3 ¾-length victory in Saturday’s sixth running of the $210,000 Tepin Stakes (Listed) for 3-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs.

Trained by Brendan Walsh and ridden by Flavien Prat, Lush Lips (GB) completed one mile on firm turf in 1:35.98 for owners Medallion Racing (Phillip Shelton), Steve Weston, Stewart Hoffman, Mrs. Paul Shanahan and Mrs. M. V. Magnier.

Previously, Lush Lips (GB) finished second to top 3-year-old turf filly Nitrogen in the $200,000 Florida Oaks (GIII) and $600,000 Edgewood (GII) on the Kentucky Oaks undercard.

Something Stronger set the pace and led the field of seven 3-year-old fillies through a first quarter mile in :24.13 with Lush Lips (GB) relaxed in fifth. Ninth Island took over down the backstretch and ran a half mile in :47.96. Lush Lips (GB) ranged into contention on the final turn, circled five wide as the field clocked six furlongs in 1:12.30 and powered home down the stretch for the comfortable win.

“She broke really well today and I think that helped us compared to the (Edgewood),” Prat said. “Last time she had a tough time settling. Today I was able to get her settled and was in a perfect spot to come with a big run.”

Lush Lips (GB) paid $5.24, $3.64 and $2.60 as the 8-5 favorite. Princess Attitude was second with Junior Alvarado up and returned $10.74 and $4.96 at odds of 14-1. Vixen, the 9-5 second choice ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., was another 1 ¼ lengths back in third and returned $2.52.

Ninth Island was fourth and was followed by Favor to You, Something Stronger and Love You Anyway. Fixin to Bee was scratched.

With her win Saturday, Lush Lips (GB), a bay Great Britain-bred daughter of Ten Sovereigns (IRE) out of the Arcano (IRE) mare Lamyaa (GB), improved her record to 3-3-0 in eight starts with purse earnings of $321,622. Saturday’s victory was worth $121,520.

“She’s a quality filly and we’re so happy to get her back to the winner’s circle today,” Walsh said. “I didn’t really give Flavien any sort of instructions before the race. It played out beautifully. She was able to come with a strong run from off the pace and really finished up well.”

Lush Lips (GB) was bred by The Pocock Family.

The Tepin is named after the brilliant two-time Eclipse Award-winning turf mare in 2015-16, who was trained by Mark Casse.

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STEPHEN FOSTER QUOTES

Irad Ortiz Jr., jockey, Mindframe, (winner): “He broke really sharp last time sprinting but we figured today might be a different scenario. 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.”

Todd Pletcher, trainer, Mindframe, (winner): “We kind of thought First Mission might go from the rail and that’s how it ended up playing out. 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.”

Flavien Prat, jockey, Sierra Leone, (runner-up): “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.”

Brad Cox, trainer, First Mission (third): “He ran well but couldn’t quite hold off the top two.”

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FLEUR DE LIS QUOTES

Brian Hernandez Jr., jockey, Thorpedo Anna (winner): “She’s an incredible filly, there’s not much more you can say about her. 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.”

Kenny McPeek, trainer, Thorpedo Anna (winner): “We’re just so happy to get her back to her top form. We’re so proud of her effort today. I think we’ll run her next at Saratoga in the Personal Ensign (GI) and then back at Keeneland for the Spinster (GI). Who knows? If she goes through both of those hoops maybe we’d run her in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI).”

Rodolphe Brisset, trainer, Royal Spa (runner-up): “She ran such a big effort. Going into the race we weren’t entirely sure on the distance. I told Flavien (Prat) if no one goes early, just go. I’m so proud of her.”

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WISE DAN QUOTES

Brian Hernandez Jr., jockey, Brilliant Berti, (winner): “In the Arlington Stakes I got floated pretty wide going into the first turn and it sort of forced me to go. Today I was able to track just off the pace, much more to his style. He really picked it up down the lane late for me to get the job done.”

Cherie DeVaux, trainer, Brilliant Berti, (winner), Taking Candy (runner-up): “(Brilliant Berti) is such a testament to the Klein family and their breeding program. So much credit goes to Richard (Klein) and his family for their program. (Taking Candy) ran a huge race as well. He fought hard to get second.”

Steve Asmussen, trainer, Lagynos, (third): “I’m very proud of his effort. He battled down there at the rail and didn’t want to give up.”

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KELLY’S LANDING QUOTES

Julien Leparoux, jockey, Roll On Big Joe, (winner): “I was able to sit a really good trip today, just outside the speed. He won at this distance in his last start and was able to keep fighting all the way to the wire.”

Bob Hess Jr., trainer, Roll On Big Joe, (winner): “It was great to be able to hook up again with Julien (Leparoux). I knew him from a couple decades ago in California. He sat a great trip and Julien gave him a perfect ride. It’s great to be here in Kentucky with him.”

Jose Ortiz, trainer, Durante, (third): “He really fought the entire stretch and ran a huge race. Even when he got passed, he still wanted to fight on and didn’t give up.”

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AMERICAN DERBY QUOTES

Cristian Torres, jockey, Minaret Station, (winner): “All the credit goes to Will (Walden) and everyone at the barn – from the exercise riders to his groom and hotwalker. In the early part of the race he wasn’t traveling all that well but down the backside but he was able to get back in the bit. There wasn’t a lot of pace up front but I was confident turning for home he’d come with his late kick.”

Will Walden, trainer, Minaret Station, (winner): “He has such a big turn of foot and that’s been his key to success. I’m very thankful the owner allowed us to take our time with getting him back to the races. He definitely rewarded us today.”

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TEPIN QUOTES

Flavien Prat, jockey, Lush Lips (GB) (winner): “She broke really well today and I think that helped us compared to the (Edgewood). Last time she had a tough time settling. Today I was able to get her settled and was in a perfect spot to come with a big run.”

Brendan Walsh, trainer, Lush Lips (GB) (winner): “She’s a quality filly and we’re so happy to get her back to the winner’s circle today. I didn’t really give Flavien (Prat) any sort of instructions before the race. It played out beautifully. She was able to come with a strong run from off the pace and really finished up well.”

Vicki Oliver, trainer, Princess Attitude (runner-up): “She ran a huge race. She was still pretty green down the stretch, looking around and such.”