Queen Maxima Reigns Supreme: Filly Smashes Course Record in Unbridled Sidney Romp

Florida-bred speedster Queen Maxima extended her winning streak to five in spectacular fashion, dominating the Grade 3, $400,000 Unbridled Sidney Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2025. Not even rain-softened turf could slow her down, as she scorched the 5 1/2 furlongs in a new course record time of 1:01.29.

Breaking alertly from an outside post under regular rider Juan Hernandez, the 4-year-old daughter of Bucchero was content to track the early pace set by Epona’s Hope and Ag Bullet.

Hernandez, now undefeated in five rides aboard the filly, allowed her to travel comfortably in fourth position down the backstretch. “I just like to let her run where she’s comfortable,” Hernandez explained. “She was traveling beautifully.”

Approaching the stretch, Hernandez gave Queen Maxima her cue, and the response was immediate and decisive. She unleashed a powerful burst of speed, surging past rivals to take command and drawing off to win by an emphatic 3 1/2 lengths over Crown Imperial, with Epona’s Hope checking in third.

The final time lowered the previous course standard of 1:01.50, established in October 2023, despite the turf being downgraded to ‘good’ following earlier rain showers.

Bling ran evenly and won the three-way photo for fourth. Cloudwalker nosed-out Gavea for fifth. Favorite Ag Bullet got steadied at the 1/8th pole and finished seventh. Asternia and Awesome Treat completed the order.

Trainer Jeff Mullins, celebrating his first graded stakes win outside California since 2017, praised his star filly’s dual nature. “She’s a good filly. We knew that right from the start… Out on the race track she’s a tiger. Back at the barn she’s a princess. She’s special.”

Owned by Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures, Queen Maxima has now won six of her nine career starts, including back-to-back Grade 3 triumphs following her Monrovia Stakes score at Santa Anita. This victory further cements her status as one of the top turf sprinters in the country.

Fractional Times: 21.76, 44.28, 55.49
Final Time: 1:01.29 (New Track Record)

Winning Connections

Winner: Queen Maxima
Jockey: Juan Hernandez
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Owner: Dutch Girl Holdings LLC (Michele Arthur) and Irving Ventures LLC (Ruben Islas Jr)
Breeder: Saul Rojas
Bloodline: Chestnut Filly, by Bucchero out of Corfu Lady, by Corfu. Foaled Feb 23, 2021, in Florida
Bucchero stands at Iron Horse Stallions, Stillwater, NY ($10,000 live foal)

Payouts

Exotics

• $2 EXACTA (9-7) Paid: $87.80
• $0.50 TRIFECTA (9-7-5) Paid: $145.19
• $1 SUPERFECTA (9-7-5-6) Paid: $1,475.32

Watch the Race