Sconsin, Bell's the One ready to renew rivalry in the Open Mind

Trainer Greg Foley believes his mare Sconsin is ready for a top effort as she renews her rivalry with fellow graded stakes winner Bell’s the One in Saturday’s $300,000 Open Mind at Churchill Downs.

“We took her up to Saratoga this summer (in the $500,000 Ballerina (G1)) and she ended up fourth that day, beaten about three lengths for all of it by Gamine,” Foley said. “They went :23 and :45 in there and for whatever reason she was pretty far back with not a lot of pace. She got beat a neck for third but ran her race up there. We got her back to Churchill, which is home. She’s doing great, feeling good, licking her feed tub clean every day and I think will have no issues running back in just three weeks.”

Owned by Fred Schwartz’ Lloyd Madison Farms, Sconsin faced Lothenbach Stable’s Bell’s the One several times in her career including in the $110,000 Roxelana three months ago. In the 6 1/2-furlong sprint at Churchill Downs, Bell’s the One passed Sconsin in deep stretch for a three-quarters of a length win. Four starts ago, Sconsin finished ahead of Bell’s the One in the $500,000 Derby City Distaff (G1) but both were ultimately defeated by Gamine.

“(Bell’s the One) is a really nice horse,” Foley said. “This field only drew five but it’s a tough enough group. We’ve beat her and she’s beat us. It’ll be a fun race.”

Saturday’s Open Mind was carded as Race 3 of 11 with a post time of 6:56 p.m. It is the first of five stakes events on the card and shares the spotlight with the $300,000 Iroquois (G3, $300,000 Pocahontas (G3), $400,000 Locust Grove (G3) and $275,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society.