June 29, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Winning Frame of Mind
Mindframe added another Kodak moment to his picture perfect 2025 with a confident one-length tally in Saturday’s $1 million Stephen Foster (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Squaring off against a loaded field that included reigning Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) champion Sierra Leone and 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) victor Mystik Dan, Mindframe showed incredible poise against elite competition.
Still unbeaten through three starts this season, the Todd Pletcher trainee tracked down his second straight Grade 1 title (May’s Churchill Downs Stakes) after kicking the year off with a Gulfstream Park Mile (G2) triumph in March.
Mindframe (9-5) paid $5.76.
Bye Bye Berti
Brilliant Berti, no relation to MLB journeyman and current Chicago Cubs utilityman Jon Berti for anyone wondering, got back in the win column after taking Saturday’s $500,000 Wise Dan (G2) at Churchill Downs.
Slotted into post five as the 2-1 closing line choice, Brilliant Berti engaged in a tight battle with the leader Mi Hermano Ramon, passing the 4-1 hopeful and holding on long enough to thwart a charging Taking Candy (5-1).
The win by three-quarters-of-a-length over his fellow Cherie DeVaux charge was a reversal of fortune for Brilliant Berti, who missed out on the Grade 3 Arlington (G3) last time out by a neck.
The now multiple graded stakes winner paid $6.08.
Blue Grass and Blue Skies
Roll On Big Joe has raced all over the United States across his four-year career, but Kentucky is settling in as his go-to destination.
On Saturday, the 5-year-old scored his second career graded stakes trophy with a hard-fought showing in the $250,000 Kelly’s Landing (G3) at Churchill Downs.
Making his third straight start in the Bluegrass State, and second at the Louisville oval, Roll On Big Joe shifted into overdrive down the stretch to pull away from 8-5 favorite Dr. Venkman.
At 9-2, Roll On Big Joe’s second in-state success paid $11.90.
Still Firing
Anyone who thought Thorpedo Anna’s reign was over following a fatigued last place finish in May’s La Troienne (G1) will need to reassess after she dominated the field in Saturday’s Fleur de Lis (G2).
Returning to Churchill Downs to avenge last month’s misfortune, the eight-time graded stakes winner looked like her dominant self in a near gate-to-wire three-length decision.
Now holding nine graded titles and north of $5 million to her name, any foolish doubts about the Kenneth McPeek trainee’s talents can firmly be laid to rest.
As the clear 1-5 choice, Thorpedo Anna paid $2.70.
Calm Waters
It was nothing but smooth sailing for Ocean Club, who despite a rocky 12-1 billing, led coast-to-coast in Saturday’s $175,000 Nassau (G2T) at Woodbine.
Coming into the 1-mile turf tilt amidst a four-race winless stretch, Ocean Club clearly wasn’t impacted by the dry spell, moving with purpose with rider Sofia Vives at the helm for the tough-nosed tally.
Now standing at 6-3-4 through 20 lifetime appearances, the 5-year-old Thomas Proctor trainee also surpassed $600,000 in total earnings.
The get-right romp from Ocean Club paid a breezy $27.80.