Saez on Mint Julep winner Pin Up Betty: ‘Just a fun horse to ride’
Churchill Downs stakes recap by publicist Kevin Kerstein (Coady Media/John Gallagher photo of Pin Up Betty winning the Old Forester Mint Julep)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Sunday, June 1, 2025) – Pin Up Betty, owned and bred by Kirk Wycoff’s Three Diamonds Farm, collared pacesetter Charlene’s Dream with a furlong to run and drew off for a 1 ½-length victory in Sunday’s 49th running of the $237,000 Old Forester Mint Julep Stakes (Grade III) at Churchill Downs.
Pin Up Betty, trained by Mike Maker and ridden by Luis Saez, ran 1 1/16 miles on “firm” turf in 1:40.55, which eclipsed Quite a Bride’s 2007 stakes record of 1:40.70.
This was the second graded stakes win for Pin Up Betty, who won the $275,000 Regret (GIII) at Churchill Downs last summer as a 3-year-old. Previously, she finished second, a neck back of Simply in Front, in the $740,670 Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (GII) on the Kentucky Derby undercard.
“She likes to be on the outside of horses so even though we lost a little position early, it probably worked out for the best,” Maker said. “We didn’t get the best of the photo last time but thankfully we did today.”
Charlene’s Dream led the field of 11 fillies and mares throughout the early stages of the race through comfortable quarter-mile splits of :23.75, :47.45 and 1:11.35 as Pin Up Betty relaxed in sixth down the backstretch. Midway around the final turn, Pin Up Betty circled five wide to draw into contention. She caught Charlene’s Dream at the eighth pole and kept on to the wire for the triumph.
“I really enjoy riding this filly – she’s just a fun horse to ride,” Saez said. “She tries hard every time. I think she liked the firm ground here today and seems like she really enjoys this turf course.”
Pin Up Betty returned $12.50, $6.40 and $4.36 as the 5-1 third betting choice. Charlene’s Dream, under Rafael Bejarano at odds of 7-1, paid $8.04 and $5.56. Movin’ On Up, with Frankie Dettori up at 3-1, was another three-quarters of a length back in third and paid $3.52 to show.
There was a claim of foul by Dettori aboard Movin’ On Up against Pin Up Betty and Charlene’s Dream for an alleged incident at the sixteenth pole but, after review, it was disallowed by Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commissionstewards and there was no change to the order of finish.
It was another three-quarters of a length back to Venencia (FR) in fourth, who was followed by 5-2 favorite Deep Satin, Duvet Day (IRE), No Mo Candy, Adrasteia, Gavea (GER), Serene Seraph (IRE) and Neon Icon.
The $146,560 first prize jumped Pin Up Betty’s earnings to $774,591 with a record of 3-6-1 in 13 starts.
Pin Up Betty is a Kentucky-bred 4-year-old daughter of Constitution out of the Into Mischief mare I’m Betty G.
OLD FORESTER MINT JULEP QUOTES
Luis Saez (jockey, Pin Up Betty, winner): “I really enjoy riding this filly – she’s just a fun horse to ride. She tries hard every time. I think she liked the firm ground here today and seems like she really enjoys this turf course.”
Mike Maker (trainer, Pin Up Betty, winner): “She likes to be on the outside of horses so even though we lost a little position early, it probably worked out for the best. We didn’t get the best of the photo last time but thankfully we did today.”
Rafael Bejarano (jockey, Charlene’s Dream, runner-up): “She broke really well and was traveling easily on the lead. I tried to save as much energy as I could for the stretch. She tried hard and was second best today.”
