Pletcher Unveils Dominating Debut Winner Mindframe At Gulfstream

Approximately five hours before he was scheduled to saddle favored Fierceness for Saturday’s $1-million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park, trainer Todd Pletcher unveiled Mindframe, who debuted with the look of a future star while dominating his rivals in Race 5, a seven-furlong maiden special weight event for 3-year-olds.

Bet down to even-money, Mindframe came through with an eye-catching performance, tracking a contested pace in fourth along the backstretch before sweeping to the lead on the turn into the homestretch and drawing away powerfully by 13¾ lengths. The son of 2014 Florida Derby (G1) hero Constitution ran seven furlongs in 1:22.72.

“We were anticipating a big debut. I thought that was something special there,” said Pletcher, who trains Mindframe for Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable. “He trained outstanding coming into the race. He’s been doing everything right. Everything has come very easily for him.”

Mindframe, whose career debut was delayed by "baby setbacks along the way,” was ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.

“I wasn’t sure if he was fit enough until his last gate work. It surprised me. He hasn’t had much of a body of work leading into it, so much of this is on natural talent,” Pletcher said.

Bred in Maryland by R. Larry Johnson, Mindframe ($4.20) is out of the Street Sense mare Walk of Stars. He was a $600,000 purchase from the Betz Thoroughbreds consignment at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.