By Alan Carasso
Queen Maxima (Bucchero) is a 'princess' in the barn but a 'tiger' on the track in the estimation of trainer Jeff Mullins, who registered his first graded-stakes victory beyond the borders of California since 2017 when the Florida-bred 4-year-old filly overwhelmed her rivals in Friday's GIII Unbridled Sidney Stakes at Churchill Downs. The final time of 1:01.29 establishes a new course record, despite significant rainfall that resulted in a downgrade of the turf from firm to good for the 5 1/2-furlong dash.
A filly speedy enough to make the running, but tractable enough to take the sit off a quick pace, Queen Maxima bounced well from the outside gate but was outfooted and settled in clear air from fourth, as Epona's Hope (Adios Charlie) and GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint third Ag Bullet (Twirling Candy), the 3-2 chalk at the off, but available at 9-5 until the final few clicks, went at it up front. By the time they'd reached the turn, Epona's Hope was clear on the engine, and when longshot Crown Imperial (Classic Empire) rolled up outside, Ag Bullet found herself in a bit of a jackpot, with Queen Maxima beginning to chime in out of harm's way while four deep at the quarter pole.
Umberto Rispoli tried to thread the needle at the fence on Ag Bullet, but Epona's Hope came in and slammed the door on her, costing her any chance. It may or may not have been material, however, as Queen Maxima–who flashes home no matter the shape of the race–was in top gear and went farther clear the farther they went.
“I just like to let her run where she's comfortable to be,” said winning jockey Juan Hernandez of the $40,000 OBS June bargain. “The inside horses were way faster than me. It was a really smooth ride. She was traveling beautifully. At the quarter pole, I switched my stick and she took off again.”
A highly impressive and improbable debut winner over five at Del Mar last August, Queen Maxima was squarely beaten going a mile in her next start, but completed the exacta at 18-1 in the Unzip Me Stakes down the hill at Santa Anita. Dealt a dirty defeat at Del Mar during the Bing Crosby meet, the chestnut hadn't lost in her four subsequent runs, including the Wishing Well Stakes Feb. 22 and a breakthrough graded success in the GIII Monrovia Stakes in Arcadia Apr. 5.
Pedigree Notes:
Sourced by trainer turned bloodstock agent Mike Pender at OBS in 2023, Queen Maxima is one of two graded winners for her sire, who now stands at the fledgling Ironhorse Stallions in New York. The stallion's other graded winner, Book'em Danno, is part of a loaded field in Saturday's GI Churchill Downs Stakes on the Derby undercard.
Hailing from the deeper female family of the quality Florida-bred handicap horse Halo's Image, Queen Maxima has an unraced 3-year-old half-brother named Florida Chrome (Gunnevera).
Queen Maxima romps home in the G3 Unbridled Sidney Stakes presented by Cygames! Juan Hernandez was aboard for trainer Jeff Mullins. pic.twitter.com/qCG3x2S3jb
— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) May 2, 2025
Friday, Churchill Downs
UNBRIDLED SIDNEY S. PRESENTED BY CYGAMES-GIII, $329,500, Churchill Downs, 5-2, 3yo/up, f/m, 5 1/2fT, 1:01.29, gd.
1–QUEEN MAXIMA, 123, f, 4, by Bucchero
1st Dam: Corfu Lady, by Corfu
2nd Dam: St Ballado's Lady, by Pleasantly Perfect
3rd Dam: St Ballado's Image, by Saint Ballado
($40,000 2yo '23 OBSOPN). O-Dutch Girl Holdings LLC and
Irving Ventures LLC; B-Saul Rosas (FL); T-Jeff Mullins; J-Juan J.
Hernandez. $178,560. Lifetime Record: 9-6-2-0, $449,460.
Werk Nick Rating: A+.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Crown Imperial, 123, f, 4, Classic Empire–Mi Fiori,
by Congrats. O/B-4 G Racing (KY); T-John Alexander Ortiz.
$77,600.
3–Epona's Hope, 123, f, 4, Adios Charlie–Alotofappeal,
by Trippi. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($295,000 2yo '23
OBSMAR). O-Leon Ellman, Glassman Racing LLC and Laurie
Plesa; B-Ocala Stud & Edward Wiest & William J. Terrill (FL);
T-J. Tyler Servis. $28,800.
Margins: 3HF, NK, 1. Odds: 2.14, 18.38, 7.54.
Also Ran: Bling, Cloudwalker, Gavea (Ger), Ag Bullet, Asternia, Awesome Treat.
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