After scratching out of the Grade I Whitney Stakes earlier this month, Maryland bred Mindframe makes his return to the Spa for the first time since last year’s Grade I Belmont Stakes. Entering that one off of a mere two races, this Pletcher trainee by Constitution – Walk of Stars, by Street Sense was able to grab the lead mid stretch, only to tire and drift wide allowing Dornoch to capture the third jewel of the Triple Crown. Now a more experienced four year old, this colt enters into the Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup against some of the top older dirt routers in the country.

Run at the same ten furlong distance as last year’s Belmont, Mindframe will have to prove that added ground isn’t an issue from his recent Stephen Foster win at nine furlongs in late June. As this competitive older field gears up for a final test at Saratoga this meet, many are preparing to face off in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in the fall against the likely favorite and three-year-old Travers winner Sovereignty. If Mindframe is able to put in a strong effort against Whitney winner and former foe Sierra Leone in this spot, he could be up for the Breeders’ Cup challenge on November 1st as he continues what has been a spotless year thus far.

Run as the fifth race on the final Sunday card of the meet, the Jockey Club Gold Cup holds a field of nine with five returning from the Whitney on August 2nd. Sierra Leone starts as the 8/5 morning line favorite, despite finishing behind Mindframe in last year’s Belmont and the Stephen Foster recently. The 2/1 Mindframe appears to have a leg up on Sierra Leone especially if the early pace is on the modest side as he typically stalks the leaders while Sierra Leone closes from well off the pace. The early presence of Chad Brown’s Contrary Thinking as well as the front-running Phileas Fogg could lead to a fair pace in this one, which may hurt the chances of Mindframe who has yet to win past a mile and one eighth. With three wins in three tries this year though, there is no question that he is in good form for Todd Pletcher and ready to hold off the late charging Sierra Leone once more. The meet’s leading jockey Irad Ortiz also opts to stay on Mindframe despite becoming the exclusive rider for White Abbario who breaks to his immediate outside here. With no finish worse than second in seven career tries, it is clear that this pairing of horse and jockey has been a successful one as Mindframe looks to capture his third straight grade I and sets himself up for the fall. Owned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables LLC, Mindframe was bred by R. Larry Johnson and breaks here from post 4.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!