Following a stellar year highlighted by two consecutive Grade 1 victories and three graded stakes wins, Mindframe has been honored as the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred/The Racing Biz’s Top Mid-Atlantic Progeny, earning $1,407,220 in prize money. Approaching his fourth birthday in 2025, Mindframe stood out as the only older U.S.-based horse to secure two Grade 1 dirt race wins. He claimed victory in a tight four-horse photo finish at the seven-furlong Churchill Downs Stakes in May, then triumphed again eight weeks later in the Mile-and-an-eighth Stephen Foster Stakes, edging out Sierra Leone by a length.
Mindframe’s season tapered off after parting ways with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. during the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga in August, finishing fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, his last race. The runner-up for top Mid-Atlantic offspring was New Jersey-bred Buem Danno, a gelding who captured three graded stakes and earned the Eclipse Award as champion sprinter, making history as the first horse to finish second in this voting two years running under trainer Derek Ryan at Atlantic Six Racing.
Maryland-bred Splendora, a two-time Eclipse Award finalist, secured third place in the voting after winning the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, while fellow Maryland Grade 1 winner Seismic Beauty took fourth. Notably, six of the top ten horses triumphed in at least one graded stakes event. Frank Vespe, owner and publisher of Racing Biz, praised the competition among the elite, noting the challenge voters faced choosing between these accomplished contenders and lauding Mindframe’s exceptional campaign.
Cricket Goodall, executive director of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association and publisher of Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbreds, highlighted the dominance of Mid-Atlantic breds this year, with seven of the top ten hailing from the region, underscoring the strength of Maryland’s breeding industry. Mindframe is set to begin his stud career at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, a historic establishment known for housing legendary horses like Bold Ruler and Secretariat.
Tracy Mulroy, daughter of the late breeder R. Larry Johnson, expressed deep pride and emotion over Mindframe’s success, calling it the fulfillment of her father’s lifelong dream. Johnson, who passed away earlier in 2025, also bred Future Is Now, another graded stakes winner who ranked sixth in the final voting. Both horses trace their lineage back 40 years to Johnson’s initial breeding efforts with the mare Land’s Chick.
Mindframe, a son of Constitution out of Street Sense mare Walk of Stars, was sold as a yearling for $600,000 and trained by Todd Pletcher for Lepore Stables and St. Elias Stables. Daniel Bricker, assistant racing manager at Lepore, remarked on Mindframe’s imposing presence, physical prowess, and enthusiasm for racing. Mulroy and Lepore Stables plan to continue supporting Mindframe’s Mid-Atlantic legacy by sending mares to him in his first breeding season, marking a full-circle moment for the breeder’s family.
Mindframe concluded his racing career with five wins and two second-place finishes in nine starts, including runner-up finishes in the 2024 Grade 1 Belmont and Haskell Stakes, amassing over two million dollars in earnings. The upcoming February issue of Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred magazine will feature profiles of many top Mid-Atlantic horses, with a breakdown showing seven Maryland-breds, two from Pennsylvania, and one from New Jersey among the elite.
Here is a snapshot of the leading Mid-Atlantic horses in 2025:
- Mindframe (MD) – Notable wins include the Churchill Downs G1, Stephen Foster G1, and Gulfstream Park Mile G1, along with a fifth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic G1.
- Buem Danno (NJ) – Triumphed in Forego S-G1, Alfred G. Vanderbilt S-G2, True North S-G3 and placed 4th in the Churchill Downs G1.
- Splendora (MD) – Won the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint G1 and multiple graded stakes.
- Seismic Beauty (MD) – Claimed the Clement L. Hirsch S-G1 and Santa Margarita S-G2.
- Barbadian Runner (MD) – Multiple stakes wins including the Robert Hilton Memorial and Maryland Million Classic.
- Future Is Now (MD) – Victor in the Cares Stakes G3, Giant’s Causeway Stakes G3, and others.
- Post Time (MD) – Winner of Proxy Testamony Stakes and multiple graded stakes placing.
- Simply Joking (PA) – Silver Bullet Day S winner, with strong graded stakes placings.
- Kappa Kappa (PA) – Raven Run S-G2 winner.
- Quint’s Brew (MD) – Winner of the General George Stakes and Jennings Stakes.
Additional horses receiving recognition include Slam Notion, Teachintherelease, Maskedandmummed, Maximus Meridius, Keysdiscount, Just Philtored, and Slewperstitus.
Fan Take:
This announcement shines a spotlight on the booming quality and competitiveness of Mid-Atlantic thoroughbreds, signaling a promising future for the region’s breeding and racing industries. Fans should take note—horses like Mindframe are not only elevating the sport with thrilling performances but are also strengthening the genetic legacy that could redefine American racing for years to come.
