Take a look at Mindframe’s past performances, jockey, trainer, early BUSR odds, and complete analysis heading into the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
By Ed McNamara
Trainer Todd Pletcher called him "a generational talent," and few horses ever accomplished as much as Mindframe did in his first seven races. He won five of them and missed a sweep by a total of only 1 3/4 lengths when second in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and the Haskell Stakes (G1). Then, horrendous racing luck in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) on Aug. 31 at Saratoga created doubts about his chances in the Classic.
A bump off a chain reaction shortly after the start dislodged jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. and turned Mindframe into a loose horse. The bizarre incident left Pletcher with many questions.
“I don't know how to quantify exactly how much he got out of the Jockey Club Gold Cup from a fitness perspective and an actual true race," Pletcher said. "Since then, we've gotten some good works and gallop outs from him, so I think we've gotten what we were hoping for.”
Pletcher's comments came after Mindframe breezed 5 furlongs in 1:01.49 on Oct. 17 over Saratoga's Oklahoma training track. “I thought Mindframe went super,” he said. “He had a really strong gallop out.”
The Gold Cup was only the second time he would have gone 1 1/4 miles. His only other try at the Classic distance was an impressive second in the Belmont in just his third career start. You can't say Mindframe doesn't want to go 10 furlongs, but the Classic will be his first real competition since he took the 1 1/8-mile Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) on June 28. It's a very big ask to beat a deep, outstanding field off essentially a four-month layoff.
Mindframe gives the impression that his best distance is 1 1/8 miles, and the lack of a recent prep is a major red flag. If you feel like taking a flyer on him, insist on odds of at least 12-1. My advice is to throw him out.
Notes: Pletcher, 58, is the all-time earnings leader with more than $513 million as of Oct. 20, according to Equibase stats. He has 5,912 victories and was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2021 ... He has 15 Breeders' Cup wins, including the 2019 Classic with Vino Rosso ... Mindframe was bred in Maryland by the late R. Larry Johnson, who also was the breeder of standout turf sprinter Future Is Now. Johnson died at 78 on Feb. 4.
