Is there a better older horse than Mindframe right now? Is reigning Horse of Year Thorpedo Anna on the road to reclaiming her title?
The two put on quite a show at Churchill Downs on Saturday
Mindframe, who ran a close second to Dornoch in the 2024 Belmont Stakes (G1) and the Haskell Stakes (G1), is now 3-for-3 as a 4-year-old after winning the $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs on Saturday (June 28).
Earlier on the card, 4-year-old filly Thorpedo Anna rebounded from a rare loss and won the $500,000 Fleur de Lis (G1) by three lengths over Royal Spa.
The champion filly is now 3-for-4 after her sensational 3-year-old campaign that included victories in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).
Both horses earned all-fees paid berths to their respective Breeders’ Cup races – Mindframe to the BC Classic (G1) and Thorpedo Anna to the BC Distaff.
With just five runners (Skippylongstocking was scratched), the 1 1/8-mile Stephen Foster included the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner (Mystik Dan) and the BC Classic winner Sierra Leone
But it was the ever-improving Mindframe – bet down to the 9-5 favorite -- who improved to 3-0 in 2025 with a one-length victory over Sierra Leone, covering the distance in 1:47.48 -- the fourth fastest time in 44 runnings of the Stephen Foster.
“We’re just incredibly proud of him for how he was able to stretch out his natural speed today,’’ said winning trainer Todd Pletcher. “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.”
Mindframe, owned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable, is 5-3-2-0- in seven starts.
First Mission, who set the pace, finished third, followed by Mystik Dan and Ashcroft.
Winning jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. Said: “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.”
His other wins this year came in the Gulfstream Park Mile (GI) followed by his victory over Banishing and Nysos in the7-furlong Churchill Downs (GI) on May 3.
Thorpedo Anna returned to her familiar place in the winner’s circle after her easy win – by three lengths over Royal Spa -- in the 50th running of the Fleur de Lis.
Thorpedo Anna ($2.70), trained by Kenny McPeek, covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.52 under Brian Hernandez, Jr. The time was the third fastest in race.
“We’re just so happy to get her back to her top form,” McPeek said. “We’re so proud of her effort.”
Thorpedo Anna finished a troubled seventh-place finish in the La Troienne (G1), where she was bumped repeatedly into the first turn.
“She’s an incredible filly, there’s not much more you can say about her,” Hernandez 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.”
McPeek said the schedule for Thorpedo Anna is the Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga, the Spinster Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, and ‘’who knows? If she goes through both of those hoops maybe we’d run her in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.”
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
