Mindframe to the top in latest Top Midlantic-bred Poll
The Biz- June 3, 2025
Following voting conducted last week, Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred and The Racing Biz have released the second Top Midlantic-bred Poll of 2025.
Among three-year-olds, Simply Joking (PA) remains the leader despite a distant 13th-place finish in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks. She previously had won the Silverbulletday at the Fair Grounds and finished second in the Grade 2 Fantasy at Oaklawn Park.
There is a new leader among older horses: Maryland-bred Mindframe moved to the head of the class. He is 2-for-2 this year and earned his first Grade 1 victory in the Churchill Downs Stakes on the Kentucky Derby undercard.
TOP MIDLANTIC-BRED 3-YEAR-OLDS
Notes: Simply Joking hasn’t worked since finishing up the track in the Kentucky Oaks, and Passion Rules hasn’t been on the worktab since late April… Omaha Omaha has posted two recent works May 20 and 27 and could be pointed to the Delaware Derby June 14… Barbadian Runner won the off-the-turf Jersey Derby May 31 after voting had occurred…
| RANK | HORSE INFO | Most recent start |
| 1 | Simply Joking (PA), 3F by Practical Joke-Imply, by E Dubai; bred by Barlar LLC and trained by Whit Beckman for Grantley Acres, Ryan Conner, and Berkels0813. 2024 highlights: Won Silverbulletday S., 2nd G2 Fantasy | 13th G1 Kentucky Oaks |
| 2 | Passion Rules (MD), 3C by Friesan Fire-Goodnight Angel, by Touch Gold; bred by Mr. and Mrs. Charles McGinnes and trained by Brad Cox for Calumet Farm. 2024 highlights: 3rd G2 Wood Memorial, 3-for-4 overall | 3rd G2 Wood Memorial |
| 3 | Volleyballprincess (NC), 3F by Mo Town-Prom Dress, by Stephen Got Even; bred by Dr. Frank Batten and trained by Lou Linder for Bran Jam Stable and David Clark. 2024 highlights: Won Ruthless S., 3rd G2 Beaumont | 9th G3 Miss Preakness |
| 4 | Omaha Omaha (VA), 3C by Audible-England Swings, by Kitten’s Joy; bred by On Your Left Racing LLC and trained by Michael Gorham for On Your Left Racing LLC. 2025 highlights: 2nd Jerome S., 3rd Withers S., Virginia Derby | 9th G2 Wood Memorial |
| 5 | Barbadian Runner (MD), 3G by Barbados-Quiet Run, by Northern Afleet; bred by Shamrock Farm and trained by Henry Walters for AJ Will Win Stables LLC. 2024 highlights: Won Jersey Derby, Spectacular Bid S., Miracle Wood S. | 1st Jersey Derby |
| Also receiving votes: Over the Bull, Safe Trust, Romanesque, Moonlit Notion, Maximus Angelicus, Surfside Moon, Onyx Ten, Moon Cache, Sacred Thunder, Pascaline, Crab Daddy |
TOP MIDLANTIC-BRED OLDER HORSES
Notes: Mindframe won the Grade 1 Churchill Downs in a thriller on the Derby undercard and has been in the news again after it was announced he will stand at Claiborne Farm following his racing career… Future Is Now, who won the Giant’s Causeway in April, will try to defend her title in the Grade 2 Intercontinental at the Spa June 5… Last year’s overall Top Midlantic-bred, Post Time, finished third in the Grade 3 Blame May 31 at Churchill Downs…
| RANK | HORSE INFO | MOST RECENT START |
| 1 | Mindframe (MD), 4C by Constitution-Walk of Stars, by Street Sense; bred by R. Larry Johnson and trained by Todd Pletcher for Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables LLC. 2025 highlights: Won G1 Churchill Downs, G2 Gulfstream Park Mile | 1st G1 Churchill Downs S. |
| 2 | Quint’s Brew (MD), 4G by Mosler-Gansett, by Jump Start; bred by Paul W. Berube, Karen Linnell & Spinnaker Hill Farm and trained by Ned Allard for Paul W. Berube, Karen Linnell & Heather Hunter. 2025 highlights: Won Jennings S., General George S., 2nd G2 Carter, G3 Westchester | 2nd G3 Westchester |
| 3 | Seismic Beauty (MD), 4F by Uncle Mo-Knarsdale, by Medaglia d’Oro; bred by 2500 Determined Stud and trained by Bob Baffert for MyRacehorse and Peter Leidel. 2025 highlights: Won G2 Santa Margarita | 1st G2 Santa Margarita |
| 4 | Future Is Now (MD), 4F by Great Notion-Past as Prelude, by Bernardini; bred by R. Larry Johnson and trained by Michael Trombetta for R. Larry Johnson. 2025 highlights: Won G3 Giant’s Causeway | 1st G3 Giant’s Causeway |
| 5 | Splendora (MD), 4F by Audible-Miss Freeze, by Frost Giant; bred by The Elkstone Group LLC and trained by Bob Baffert for By Talla Racing LLC. 2025 highlights: 2nd G2 Santa Margarita, G2 Santa Maria | 2nd G2 Santa Margarita |
| Also receiving votes: Gigante, Determined Kingdom, Tufani, Witty, Speedyness, Fulmineo |
NOTES
The monthly Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred is the only publication devoted to Thoroughbred breeding and racing in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Racing Biz, an online publication, is the independent voice for mid-Atlantic racing and breeding.
The poll is conducted of media members and others involved in the Thoroughbred industry and restricted to horses that have run in 2025 and were bred in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Carolinas.
Participating Voters: Ted Black (freelance writer), Michael Campbell (Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association of New Jersey), Joe Clancy (Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred), Cindy Deubler (Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred), Linda Dougherty (freelance), Debbie Easter (Virginia Thoroughbred Association), Paul Espinosa (Charles Town Races), Cricket Goodall (Maryland Horse Breeders Association), Nick Hahn (freelance), Carol Holden (West Virginia Breeders Classics), Dan Illman (Maryland Jockey Club), Tom LaMarra (Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association), Averie Levanti (Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association), Jeff Nations (freelance), Vinnie Perrone (freelance), Frank Petramalo (Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association), John Piassek (freelance), Gary Quill (The Racing Biz), David Richardson (Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association), Brian Sanfratello (Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association), Chris Sobocinski (Delaware Park), Dan Tordjman (freelance), Frank Vespe (The Racing Biz), Bill Watson (freelance), Bobby Zen (freelance).
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