Mindframe, the Belmont Stakes runner-up by only a half-length in his last effort, will attempt to give trainer Todd Pletcher his fourth victory in the $1 million, Grade 1 NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes on Saturday at Monmouth Park.

Owned by the partnership of Repole Stable (Mike Repole) and St. Elias Stable (Vinnie Viola), Mindframe has been installed as the 9-5 morning line favorite and is one of three top class 3-year-olds entered in the field of eight by the Hall of Fame trainer on Wednesday.

The Haskell is a “Win and You’re In” designated race for the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

Plecher’s trio also includes Repole Stable’s Fierceness, the 5-2 co-choice second favorite with Belmont winner Dornoch, and 9-2 early pick Tuscan Sky. But Fierceness is expected to bypass the Haskell for the Jim Dandy at Saratoga.

Nevertheless, all three Pletcher trainees may not make it into the Haskell starting gate. The ownership interests of Fierceness and Mindframe presented a dilemma at entry time.

“Mike’s going to have to look at it and decide and decide if he wants to run them against each other or split them up,” Pletcher said. “We’ve been preparing with both options in mind.”

Pletcher has won the Haskell three previous times: with Verrazano (2013), Any Given Saturday (2007) and Blue Grass Cat (2006).

Mindframe will break from post seven under regular rider Irad Ortiz, Jr., who has won five Eclipse Awards as Outstanding Jockey and makes his first Haskell appearance.

The Maryland-bred is a son of Constitution out of the Street Sense mare Walk of Stars. Bred by R. Larry Johnson, Mindframe is a half-brother to the stakes-placed Hollywood Walk and is from the same female family as the Grade 2 winner Future Is Now. He is making his fourth career start and second straight try in Grade 1 company. He won his first two races by a combined 21¼ lengths.

“On one side I was elated with his effort in the Belmont, and on the other I was a little disappointed he didn’t win. At the eighth pole he had a big chance,” Pletcher said. “One of our concerns going into the Belmont was he was running against horses with a lot more experience. We hoped that his lack of experience wouldn’t compromise his chances. I think that little bit of greenness he showed in the mid-stretch when he veered out may have cost him the win. I couldn’t be disappointed in his effort, but I was disappointed we couldn’t get the job done.”

After ranging up to leader Dornoch, Mindframe veered outwards under left-handed encouragement, and Dornoch was able to fend off his challenge.

Dornoch, who is trained by Danny Gargan and owned by the partnership of West Paces Racing, R.A. Hill Stables, Belmar Racing, Two Eight Racing, and Pine Stables Racing, drew the rail and his regular rider Luis Saez gets the return call.

“I think he’s training better now going into the Haskell than he was going into the Belmont,” said a confident Gargan. “He’s gotten better with age.”

Dornoch, who is by 2018 Haskell winner Good Magic and is a full brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner and Haskell runner-up Mage, had a terrible trip in the Kentucky Derby. He was shuffled back and had to check hard when stuck down on the inside from Post 1.

“In the Derby he got eliminated early. Other than that, he’s been flawless,” said Gargan. “We’re not really happy with the one-hole, so we’re going to have to make a decision if we’re definitely going to run from it. If you’re in the one hole, obviously, you have to show speed. We don’t have to be on the lead. We don’t want to get stuck inside and checked.”

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