Owner Mike Repole experienced an "up and down rollercoaster" weekend at Churchill Downs, but it ended on a high note as his horse Mindframe triumphed in the $1 million Churchill Downs Stakes (G1) on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Just a day earlier, Repole's Kentucky Derby contender Grande was scratched from the race, casting a shadow over his Derby aspirations. However, the victory of Mindframe in this prestigious race certainly helped lift his spirits.
Mindframe, a 4-year-old colt co-owned by Repole and Vinnie Viola's St. Elias Stable, is trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher. Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Mindframe showcased his remarkable abilities by rallying from a challenging position to win the seven-furlong contest by a neck, completing the race in a time of 1:22.64 over a sloppy track.
“If you don’t scratch me out of the Derby, I win that too,” Repole exclaimed to NBC after the race, clearly elated with his horse’s performance. Ortiz echoed his owner’s sentiments, stating, “My horse was so game today. He had so many horses to the inside of him that he just had to keep fighting the entire way to the wire. He does not want to lose and kept finding more the more challenges he got.”
The race was a thrilling spectacle, with Mindframe and Ortiz coming from well off the pace to secure victory in a tightly contested finish. The early leaders, Giant Mischief and Hoist the Gold, set a strong pace, clocking fractions of 22.56 and 45.12 seconds. Meanwhile, the eventual winner and his competitors were positioned further back, setting the stage for an exciting stretch run.
As they approached the final turn, Mindframe surged wide, navigating through a crowded field. In a dramatic finish, he managed to outpace Nysos and Banishing, who dead-heated for second place. Book'em Danno finished fourth, just a head behind the leaders.
“What a finish in the G1 Churchill Downs Stakes presented by Ford! Mindframe comes out on top in a blanket finish,” the official Churchill Downs account tweeted, capturing the excitement of the moment.
Mindframe's victory marks a significant milestone in his career. Bred in Maryland by Larry Johnson, he is the son of Constitution and out of the Street Sense mare Walk of Stars. Repole and Viola purchased him for $600,000 as a yearling at the Keeneland September sale. Despite a slow start to his racing career, which included making his first start only in March of his 3-year-old year, he has since proven to be a formidable competitor.
Last year, Mindframe finished second in both the Belmont Stakes and the Haskell, showcasing his potential against top-tier competition. This year, he kicked off his 2025 season with a victory in the G2 Gulfstream Park Mile on March 1, setting him up for the success he achieved at Churchill Downs.
With four wins and two seconds from six starts, Mindframe has now amassed earnings of approximately $1.3 million, solidifying his status as a rising star in the racing world. Pletcher, reflecting on Mindframe's versatility, stated, “I told Irad just to ride with confidence and it looks like he did exactly that. He’s such a versatile horse. From just missing last year in the Belmont and now winning a Grade 1 going seven-eighths, it just shows how special of a horse he is.”
The Churchill Downs Stakes victory also marks Pletcher's third win in this race, having previously claimed victory in 2011 with Aikenite and in 2004 with Speightstown. The trainer’s consistent success further cements his reputation as one of the leading figures in thoroughbred racing.
As for the other competitors, Banishing, ridden by Jose Ortiz, and Nysos, under Flavien Prat, both put forth commendable efforts, finishing in a dead heat for second. Banishing returned $3.10 and $3.78, while Nysos paid $2.36 and $3.10. Book'em Danno, who was also in contention, finished a head back, demonstrating the competitive nature of the race.
The Churchill Downs Stakes is a highlight of the racing calendar, and this year’s edition did not disappoint, offering fans a thrilling display of speed and strategy. As the dust settles on this exciting weekend, all eyes will be on Repole and his team as they regroup and look ahead to the upcoming races, including the Kentucky Derby.
With Mindframe's impressive performance, the excitement surrounding Repole's stable continues to grow. The stakes are high as they prepare for the next chapter in their racing journey, with hopes that this victory is just the beginning of more success to come.
As the racing world turns its attention to the Kentucky Derby, the anticipation builds. Will Repole's fortunes change with Mindframe's victory paving the way for a successful Derby run? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the thrill of racing is alive and well at Churchill Downs.
