Mintd became a newly minted graded stakes winner Saturday by parlaying a ground-saving ride from Ricardo Santana Jr. into a half-length victory over heavy favorite Juliet Foxtrot in the Grade 3, $150,000 Mint Julep Stakes for fillies and mares on the turf beneath the lights at Churchill Downs. This was, in fact, the graded stakes debut for Mintd ($27.20), a 5-year-old Olympic Glory mare foaled in Ireland. She won once from four starts in her native country, all as a juvenile in 2018, before coming to the U.S. She made her stateside debut in March 2020, off a layoff of well over a year, for trainer Brendan Walsh and the ownership team of Bradley Thoroughbreds, Madaket Stables, Team Hanley, and Tim and Anna Cambron, winning an allowance race at Tampa Bay. Following that, she was fourth in an allowance at Churchill Downs, then fourth in the Ellis Park Turf Stakes last July. Mintd returned from another layoff of nearly nine months to win an allowance-optional claiming race on the April 30 Kentucky Oaks undercard on the Churchill turf. :: Bet the races with confidence on DRF Bets. You're one click away from the only top-rated betting platform fully integrated with exclusive data, analysis, and expert picks. "It did look like a tough field on paper," Walsh said of stepping up for the Mint Julep, "but she's been very progressive. We gave her a break last year, and since she's come back, she's done nothing wrong. ... We thought she was coming with a realistic chance." The field for the Mint Julep indeed got tougher when Juliet Foxtrot, winner of the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley in April at Keeneland, was re-routed from a planned trip to California to this race at her home base. The mare was heavily favored in the starting field of eight on the turf course rated firm after rain throughout the week in Kentucky. Longshot Flash n' Dance was away sharply to cut across the field and lead the way through an honest opening quarter of 23.90 seconds, followed by the half in 48.60 seconds. Juliet Foxtrot was placed in a stalking second by Tyler Gaffalione, 2 1/2 lengths back, although the rider had his hands full down the backstretch, with his feet ahead of him to brace against his mount's pull. Meanwhile, second choice Hendy Woods was in a stalking third in the clear on the outside, and Minted was running in fourth, saving ground all the way after breaking from the inside post under Santana. “Brendan and his team were very confident in this filly today, which gave me a lot of confidence as well,” Santana said. “I tried to keep her close to the early pace and we had a great trip.” Juliet Foxtrot began to reel in Flash n' Dance in under her own power entering the far turn, still under a good hold. Behind her, Florent Geroux gave Hendy Woods her cue at the same time to keep the favorite from getting too far away, and Santana asked Minted to keep pace with the favorites while still saving ground. Turning for home, Juliet Foxtrot had assumed command and quickly opened up two lengths. But Santana swung Mintd into the three path to ensure clear sailing down the lane, and the mare had a strong late punch. She wore the leader down through the stretch drive and surged by in the final yards for the win, stopping the clock in 1:43.92 for the 1 1/16 miles. After the top two, it was 2 1/2 lengths back to She'sonthewarpath, who rallied furiously from last to edge Hendy Woods by half a length for third. They were followed, in order, by Vezpa, Tuned, Lashara, and the fading Flash n' Dance.