One of the most valuable races at the Kentucky Downs turf meet is the $2,500,000 Grade III Mint Million Stakes over a mile at the Franklin, KY track on Saturday, September 6. Chad Brown saddles topweight Spirit Of St Louis in this invitation only event after Grade I wins earlier in the season.
In a field of 13, the six-year-old Medaglia d’Or gelding carries a double penalty for victories in the Pegasus World Cup Turf in Florida over the winter and Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic on the undercard of the Kentucky Derby schedule during the major meet at Churchill Downs. Following-up on spring success has been difficult for Spirit Of St Louis, who now races in the Bluegrass State again following summer runs around Saratoga.
It hasn’t been a happy spell for Brown at his local track with one of the star older horses in the barn. Spirit Of St Louis was favorite for the Manhattan Stakes during the Belmont Racing Festival, but finished in sixth of eight. He’s now on the comeback trail after an even more disappointing eighth of 10 in the Fourstardave.
Off the back of such displays, connections of Spirit Of St Louis ease him in grade, but the Mint Millions Stakes is a Grade III in name only. Based on the Morning Line odds, Kentucky Derby racebooks and OTBs throughout the Commonwealth don’t favor him this time despite those prior major wins. Preferred instead is a horse that finished a neck in front of him in the Fourstardave that has since romped to victory in Listed company, Lagynos, who also came seventh in the Nashville Derby over further here last season.
Brilliant Berti Could Have Number of Morning Line Favorite
Steve Asmussen’s four-year-old Kantharos colt is a Grade III winner from Churchill Downs in the fall, who also landed a Black Type race on dirt at the end of 2024. While Lagynos could be hitting form at just the right time for capturing this valuable prize, he has suffered three prior defeats to Brilliant Berti in the Bluegrass State. Cherie DeVaux’s four-year-old son of Noble Mission is 2lb worse off with his old rival now, but has always got the better of things.
Brilliant Berti was a neck second to Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic runner-up Mercante in the Arlington Stakes with Lagynos back in third. He confirmed the form of that Grade III run when going one better in the Grade II Wise Dan Stakes also around Churchill Downs. Lagynos again finished behind Brilliant Berti, but it’s the horse who just missed out on the show that has really advertised that race.
Fort Washington found the pace too quick in the Wise Dan, but successfully stepped up in distance last time with a successful raid on the Arlington Million at Colonial Downs. Brilliant Berti may actually be capable of conceding the extra weight to Lagynos in the Mint Millions Stakes now. His form ties in with Spirit Of St Louis and, as a horse two years younger, could still have further improvement in him.
Also prominent on the Morning Line here is last season’s winner Goliad. He’s back at Kentucky Downs for the defense of his crown despite being an eight-year-old. Richard Mandella will likely have built his veteran War Front gelding’s campaign around returning here as he’s two from two over course and distance. It looks a stronger edition of the race on paper this season, however.
Major Dude Also Considered for Mint Millions Stakes
Todd Pletcher has his 2025 Fort Lauderdale Stakes winner Major Dude in the contest under a 2lb penalty as well. This five-year-old son of Bolt D’Oro faded into sixth behind Spirit Of St Louis in the Pegasus World Cup Turf on his next outing, but has made the show in three subsequent starts in graded races. Major Dude lost on the nod to aforementioned Fort Washington conceding weight and wasn’t disgraced when last in action either.
He tried running over much further in the 2,200m Grade II United Nations Stakes and finished a two-length third to Redistricting around Monmouth Park. Pletcher barn buddy Grand Sonata split the pair in second. All of the runner-up, fifth and seventh home in New Jersey have finished placed next time out. The suspicion with Major Dude is he might want a bit further.
There’s a transatlantic raiders in the Mint Millions Stakes again this season with Yorkshire trainer Ed Bethell sending Point Lynas over from England. Frankie Dettori takes the ride on the six-year-old Iffraaj gelding who split City Of York and Wolferton Stakes winners Never So Brave and Haatem in the Group 2 Summer Mile at Ascot on his penultimate start.
Joining Point Lynas in crossing the pond is Alice Haynes runner Cairo, who has already raced in America this season. Following an excellent third in the Queen Anne Stakes during Royal Ascot, this five-year-old son of Quality Road missed the show when fifth behind Fort Washington in the Arlington Million. Cairo hasn’t won a race since his early career when trained in Ireland.
There are also a number of longshots in the line-up with Beach Gold beating Epic Ride and Steal Sunshine in recent starts. Air Recruit has also won in a lower grade after missing the whole of last season.
Mint Millions Stakes 2025 Post Positions Draw & Morning Line Odds
- Goliad (122lbs) – 5-1
- Major Dude (124lbs) – 6-1
- Cairo (122lbs) – 12-1
- Air Recruit (122lbs) – 15-1
- Spirit Of St Louis (126lbs) – 6-1
- Swift Delivery (122lbs) – 20-1
- Brilliant Berti (124lbs) – 8-1
- Steal Sunshine (122lbs) – 15-1
- Point Lynas (122lbs) – 8-1
- St Anthony (122lbs) – 30-1
- Epic Ride (122lbs) – 15-1
- Beach Gold (122lbs) – 15-1
- Lagynos (122lbs) – 4-1 fav
Our Handicapper’s Verdict
Despite a wide-margin Listed success last time, Lagynos isn’t a solid favorite by any means. Instead, the value lies in old rival Brilliant Berti, who similarly has youth on his side. A double penalty for Spirit Of St Louis isn’t ideal and there’s an age concern over course specialist Goliad, with Major Dude perhaps needing a greater test of stamina than a mile these days.
WATCH: Spirit Of St Louis Win the Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic
WATCH: Goliad Winning the Mint Millions Stakes in 2024
