Maxfield Undergoes Surgery to Remove Ankle Chip

Grade 1 winner Maxfield is expected to return to racing in early 2020 after having surgery Nov. 18 to remove a mildly displaced chip from an ankle, according to owner Godolphin.

In a Nov. 18 press release, Godolphin said Dr. Larry Bramlage at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington removed the chip. Jimmy Bell, president and director of racing for Godolphin in the United States, said they look forward to Maxfield returning to training in about 60 days at Palm Meadows with trainer Brendan Walsh. 

"While it was obviously disappointing to miss the Breeders' Cup, the welfare of the horse comes first and we brought him home for a full evaluation with Dr. Bramlage," Bell said. "We will give the horse all the time he needs before resuming what we hope to be an exciting season for him next year."

Maxfield rallied from 10th to win his maiden debut Sept. 14 in a one-turn mile test at Churchill Downs. The son of 2007 Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Street Sense  then quickly turned around to deliver a dominating performance in the Oct. 5 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland, drawing off to a 5 1/2-length score in that 1 1/16-mile test under Eclipse Award-winning rider Jose Ortiz.

Maxfield was at Santa Anita Park preparing for a start in the Nov. 1 TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), but was scratched by Walsh three days before the race.