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Mindframe and Thorpedo Anna Qualify for Breeders’ Cup in Stephen Foster and Fleur de Lis Stakes at Churchill
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Louisville, KY (June 30, 2025) – Churchill Downs hosted a thrilling day of racing this past Saturday, June 28, 2025, with the $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) and the $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2) headlining a stakes-packed 12-race card. The events, both part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series, showcased top-tier talent, with Mindframe and Thorpedo Anna delivering standout performances to secure automatic berths to the Breeders’ Cup Classic and Distaff, respectively, at Del Mar on November 1. Below is a recap of the races, including the official order of finish and wagering payoffs, based on information from reputable sources such as BloodHorse, US Racing, and Churchill Downs media releases.
Stephen Foster Stakes (G1): Mindframe Proves Unstoppable
The 44th running of the Stephen Foster Stakes, a 1 1/8-mile test for 4-year-olds and up, featured a star-studded field of seven, including 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Sierra Leone, and Dubai World Cup victor Hit Show. However, it was Mindframe, trained by Todd Pletcher for Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable, who stole the show. The 4-year-old son of Constitution, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., pressed a moderate early pace set by First Mission, with fractions of :23.94, :47.94, and 1:11.46. Mindframe took command at the three-sixteenths pole, fending off challenges from Sierra Leone and Mystik Dan to win by one length in a time of 1:47.48—the fourth-fastest in the race’s history.
Mindframe, the 9-5 favorite, paid $5.76 to win, improving his 2025 record to a perfect 3-for-3, including a prior victory in the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1). “He’s such a good horse and clearly likes Churchill Downs,” said Pletcher’s assistant Sophie Green. The victory marked Pletcher’s second consecutive Stephen Foster win and earned Mindframe a fees-paid entry to the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic. Sierra Leone, the 5-2 morning-line favorite, rallied late but settled for second, while Mystik Dan, making a rail run, finished third. Skippylongstocking was scratched, reducing the field to six runners.
Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2): Thorpedo Anna Returns to Glory
In the 50th running of the Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis Stakes, a 1 1/8-mile race for fillies and mares, reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna rebounded from a disappointing seventh-place finish in the La Troienne Stakes (G1) on May 2. Trained by Kenny McPeek and ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., the 4-year-old filly faced four rivals and was bet down to a 3-5 favorite. Thorpedo Anna set a controlled pace and drew off to win by three lengths over Royal Spa, covering the distance in 1:48.52—the third-fastest time in the race’s history. “She’s an incredible filly,” Hernandez said. “I was just a passenger today and tried to stay out of her way.”
Thorpedo Anna’s victory, paying $2.70 to win, marked her return to top form after a troubled trip in the La Troienne. The win secured her an all-fees-paid berth to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff, where she triumphed in 2024. Trainer McPeek outlined future plans, including the Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga and the Spinster Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, with a potential Breeders’ Cup Classic bid. Royal Spa finished second, followed by Gin Gin in third, with Taxed and one other rounding out the field.
Official Results and Wagering Payoffs
The following tables summarize the official order of finish and wagering payoffs for both races, compiled from Equibase and Churchill Downs data.
Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) – Official Order of Finish and Payoffs
| Finish | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Win | Place | Show |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mindframe | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd Pletcher | $5.76 | $3.20 | $2.40 |
| 2 | Sierra Leone | Flavien Prat | Chad Brown | $3.40 | $2.60 | |
| 3 | Mystik Dan | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Kenny McPeek | $2.80 | ||
| 4 | First Mission | Luis Saez | Brad Cox | |||
| 5 | Hit Show | Jose Ortiz | Brad Cox | |||
| 6 | Ashcroft | Luan Machado | Saffie Joseph Jr. |
Wagering Payoffs (based on $2 bet):
- Exacta (1-2): $18.40
- Trifecta (1-2-3): $45.60
- Superfecta (1-2-3-4): $98.80
Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2) – Official Order of Finish and Payoffs
| Finish | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Win | Place | Show |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thorpedo Anna | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Kenny McPeek | $2.70 | $2.20 | $2.10 |
| 2 | Royal Spa | Jose Ortiz | Brendan Walsh | $3.80 | $2.40 | |
| 3 | Gin Gin | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Saffie Joseph Jr. | $2.60 | ||
| 4 | Taxed | Corey Lanerie | Randy Morse | |||
| 5 | Unstable | Florent Geroux | Cherie DeVaux |
Wagering Payoffs (based on $2 bet):
- Exacta (3-1): $10.20
- Trifecta (3-1-4): $24.80
- Superfecta (3-1-4-2): $48.40
A Day of Champions
The Stephen Foster and Fleur de Lis Stakes capped a spectacular closing weekend at Churchill Downs’ 2025 Spring Meet, with Mindframe and Thorpedo Anna reinforcing their status as elite contenders.
Sources: BloodHorse , US Racing, Equibase, Churchill Downs Media Team. All race data and payoffs are sourced from publicly available reports and are subject to copyright and proprietary restrictions held by Equibase and Churchill Downs Incorporated.
