Pin Up Betty Captures GIII Old Forester Mint Julep in Stakes Record Time
Three Diamonds Farm’s Pin Up Betty secured her second graded stakes victory at Churchill Downs with an impressive late-running performance in Sunday’s GIII Old Forester Mint Julep Stakes. The 4-year-old filly by Constitution stopped the clock at 1:40.55 for the 1 1/16-mile turf contest, establishing a new stakes record that eclipsed the previous mark of 1:40.70 set by Quite a Bride in 2007.
Sent off at odds of 5-1, Pin Up Betty settled slightly off mid-pack while racing three wide around the first turn. Charlene’s Dream controlled the early tempo unchallenged, setting fractions of :23.75, :47.45 and 1:11.35 before turning for home with a two-length advantage.
Pin Up Betty made rapid progress around the final bend and closed powerfully down the center of the course. She overtook the pacesetter inside the final furlong to win by 1 1/2 lengths.
“I really enjoy riding this filly–she’s just a fun horse to ride,” said winning jockey Luis Saez. “She tries hard every time. I think she liked the firm ground here today and seems like she really enjoys this turf course.”
The victory marked Pin Up Betty’s first win since capturing the GIII Regret Stakes over the Churchill Downs turf course last June. She had been winless in six subsequent starts but came into Sunday’s race off a narrow neck defeat in the GII Churchill Distaff Turf Mile on May 3.
“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,” said winning trainer Mike Maker. “We didn’t get the best of the photo last time but thankfully we did today.”
Charlene’s Dream held second, finishing three-quarters of a length ahead of third-place Movin’ On Up.
Pin Up Betty improved her career record to 3-6-1 from 16 starts with earnings of $774,591. She is one of 38 graded stakes winners for her sire Constitution.
The Kentucky-bred filly is out of the stakes-winning and multiple graded stakes-placed Into Mischief mare I’m Betty G, who Kirk Wycoff’s Three Diamonds Farm purchased for $150,000 at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training.
I’m Betty G is also the dam of stakes winner and GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint runner-up Governor Sam (by Improbable). Her 2-year-old filly by City of Light sold for $500,000 at this year’s OBS Spring sale. The 11-year-old mare’s 2024 foal by Jackie’s Warrior died, and she was barren when bred back to Constitution last year.
#8 PIN UP BETTY ($12.50) and @luissaezpty come from off the pace to win the $250,000 Mint Julep Stakes (G3) at @ChurchillDowns for @trainerMMaker and owner Three Diamonds Farm (@jordanwycoff). Congratulations to all connections with this 4yo filly by @WinStarFarm's Constitution. pic.twitter.com/8aImF4u7z1
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing)
#8 PIN UP BETTY ($12.50) and June 1, 2025
