Walsh Points Maxfield Toward Churchill's Stephen Foster

Godolphin's talented 4-year-old multiple graded stakes winner Maxfield  is pointed toward the $600,000 Stephen Foster Stakes (G2) June 26 at Churchill Downs. The 1 1/8-mile race is a "Win and You're In" event for the Nov. 6 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar.

"We brought him over to Keeneland after Derby Week at Churchill and we are targeting the Stephen Foster," trainer Brendan Walsh said. "He'll make his way back to Churchill and we'll likely work him Saturday. I think the timing of this race works out well for us because it's the same timing following his race in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1). We know he loves it here at Churchill, and I think with age and time he can keep improving."

Maxfield rebounded from his third-place effort in the March 6 Santa Anita Handicap with a 3 1/4-length score over a modest field in the $400,000 Alysheba Stakes Presented by Sentient Jet (G2) on the undercard of the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) April 30. 

Maxfield is one of two elite older dirt routers Godolphin has in training in the U.S., the other being Mystic Guide , winner of the Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline (G1). The latter, a Mike Stidham trainee, is under consideration for the $400,000 Suburban Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park July 3.

King: Mystic Guide Resumes Breezing After Dubai World Cup

Maxfield, winner of the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) at age 2, missed portions of his 2-year-old and 3-year-old season due to injuries. The homebred son of Street Sense   returned to competition at the end of his 3-year-old campaign with a 2 1/2-length win in the $75,000 Tenacious Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Dec. 19. He has remained active in three starts this year, also winning the Mineshaft Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds prior to running in the Santa Anita Handicap and Alysheba. 

He is perfect in three starts at Churchill Downs. Besides taking the Alysheba this year, he won the Matt Winn Stakes (G3) at age 3 and a maiden race there as a 2-year-old.

May 29 is Stephen Foster Preview Day at Churchill Downs with seven stakes races, many of which serve as preps for follow-up stakes on Stephen Foster Day. 

Among the horses also likely to return next on Stephen Foster Day is Skychai Racing and Sand Dollar Stable's Somelikeithotbrown , who goes in the $300,000 Wise Dan Stakes (G2T), a 1 1/16-mile turf race. The son of Big Brown   has banked $842,838 in earnings from 19 starts with his most recent race being a victory in the Dinner Party Stakes (G2T) May 15 at Pimlico Race Course. 

"He's been a great horse to have in the barn," Maker said. "He runs so hard every time and he showed that last weekend."

Besides the Stephen Foster, the other Breeders' Cup qualifier on the Stephen Foster card is the Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2) for older dirt females. The winner of the 1 1/8-mile dirt test earns a paid starting berth in the Nov. 6 Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1).