Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has high hopes for Mindframe, a Maryland-bred colt who overcame last year’s bone bruising to win three races this year, including two Grade 1 events: the Churchill Downs Stakes and the Stephen Foster. While the prestigious Whitney Stakes on August 2 seems a natural next step, Pletcher is weighing the benefits of additional rest for Mindframe, possibly targeting the Jockey Club Gold Cup on August 31 instead, with an eye toward the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November. Mindframe’s co-owners, Mike Repole and Vinnie Viola, also face the challenge of managing another top contender, Fierceness, who is expected to be ready for the Whitney and could potentially compete against Mindframe.

Pletcher is balancing the development of these two promising 4-year-olds amid a relatively disappointing 3-year-old crop, with no Kentucky Derby starter and modest results in the Triple Crown races. Fierceness recently posted a strong workout and showed resilience despite a tough trip in the Met Mile. Meanwhile, Pletcher looks ahead to the Saratoga meet starting July 10, hoping his talented but currently unraced 2-year-olds will emerge despite a slow spring caused by rain. Overall, Pletcher remains optimistic about his stable’s prospects as he aims to maximize the potential of his top horses while carefully managing their schedules.