In his first start since last summer, classic-placed Mindframe took care of some business March 1 by posting a 1 1/4-length victory in the $202,100 Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes (G2) to secure the first graded stakes win of his career.
While graded stakes glory had eluded Mindframe in the first four starts of his career, the lightly raced son of Constitution certainly made an impression last year in making his stakes debut in the Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course where he would lead in the stretch before getting edged by Dornoch . After those two finished one-two in the Belmont, they replicated that finish in the Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park.
Mindframe, who was given the second half of the 2024 season off by trainer Todd Pletcher to recover from some bone bruising, was ready for his seasonal debut Saturday. Starting from post 1 in a field of eight traversing the one-turn mile at Gulfstream Park, Mindframe rated in third early as multiple Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. gradually worked him to the three path in the long backstretch run as Godolphin homebred Encino led through a quarter-mile in :24.14 and half-mile in :46.61.
In the clear in the turn, Mindframe surged to the lead while seemingly well within himself. While he didn't rocket away in the final furlong, he had plenty to hold off a late charge from runner-up Steal Sunshine to finish the race in 1:36.25. Lightning Tones followed in third to earn a placing in his graded stakes debut.
"I had a very good trip," said Ortiz, who landed his fourth win of the day in the race. "I was sitting third and he was in the clear. I decided to go for it. I had the best horse, so I tried to give him the best trip and not have any excuse, and he did the rest. He was very, very good today."
Pletcher told FanDuel TV that he was proud of his runner, noting that he overcame some challenges in the post position and starting in a one-turn mile off a long layoff.
"He's been training really well," Pletcher said. "You're always concerned when you're coming off a layoff and drawing the 1-hole at a one-turn mile. It's demanding. But Irad was able to maneuver himself into a good spot. I thought he might have got a little tired the last sixteenth."
The connections of Steal Sunshine, also by Constitution, may have been wondering "what if?" Saturday as the race's defending winner suffered a horrible start after being pinched at the break. Jockey Paco Lopez eventually was able to save ground to set up the late run to secure second but he found himself nine lengths back after the opening quarter-mile.
The owners went to $600,000 to purchase Mindframe at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where he was consigned by Betz Thoroughbreds. Bred in Maryland by R. Larry Johnson, Mindframe is out of the stakes-winning Street Sense mare Walk of Stars, who has produced four winners from as many starters, including stakes-placed Hollywood Walk, by Animal Kingdom.
Mindframe is the third stakes winner this season for Constitution, who stands for $110,000 at WinStar Farm near Versailles, Ky.
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