Maxfield Bids for BC Classic Berth in Stephen Foster

Godolphin's Maxfield  may have seen his reputation tarnished when he lost for the first time in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) March 6. Still, his third-place finish may ultimately prove a catalyst for achievements this season.

Or so trainer Brendan Walsh believes, and early evidence might indicate that. Returned April 30 in the Alysheba Stakes Presented by Sentient Jet (G2) at Churchill Downs, he ran a career-best 115 Equibase Speed Figure in winning by 3 1/4 lengths.

Now he looks to continue his progression in the $600,000 Stephen Foster Stakes (G2) at Churchill June 26. The Stephen Foster is a Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" Qualifier, providing automatic, paid entry into the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 6.

He is one of two leading top older dirt horses Godolphin has in training in the U.S., the other being the Mike Stidham-trained Mystic Guide , winner of the Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline (G1).

As he has been in his last five starts, Maxfield will be the favorite. The race's lone grade 1 winner stands out against eight rivals, who have largely been most effective against grade 3 or easier competition. He shoulders co-high weight of 121 pounds with grade 2 winner Chess Chief , though only two pounds more than the rest of the field carries.

"He's doing great," Walsh said. "He came out of the Alysheba well. Everything has gone exactly to plan since. His works have been very good. Hopefully, we get a good trip on Saturday."

Jose Ortiz, aboard in the Alysheba and in the Street Sense   colt's first three victories, including Keeneland's Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) at age 2 in 2019, will be aboard.

In the Alysheba, Maxfield was victorious from midpack despite a limited amount of pace. He powered past front-running Visitant , once again a rival this Saturday, and gradually drew clear—a performance Walsh believes was made possible as a result of the learning experience of the Santa Anita Handicap.

"That, I think, was the first time we really put him on the back foot," Walsh said. "I think that helped him grow up. He had to face a lot of adversity."

The bulk of his Santa Anita's challenges—racing on shorter than customary rest, shipping cross country, and racing for the first time over a new strip—don't exist in the Stephen Foster.

He has rested more than eight weeks between races, is already Kentucky-based, and sports a 3-for-3 local record.

The opposition is headed by Chess Chief, Silver Dust , and Visitant—all stakes winners in 2021.

Chess Chief won the New Orleans Classic Stakes (G2) this winter at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots for the Estate of James Coleman Jr., while Tom R. Durant's Silver Dust took the Ben Ali Stakes (G3) at Keeneland and Williamson Racing's Visitant the TwinSpires Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park.

Silver Dust was entered in the Blame Stakes May 29 at Churchill Downs but misbehaved in the starting gate prior to the start and was scratched. Sprawl  and South Bend —third and fifth, respectively, in that race—are the only Blame competitors to return in the Stephen Foster.

Warrior's Charge 's speed makes him a threat. A graded winner last year for Ten Strike Racing and Madaket Stables, he did not run to his potential when sixth in the May 31 Steve Sexton Mile Stakes (G3) at Lone Star Park following a slow start. The Brad Cox trainee has twice managed fourths in grade 1s.

Entries: Stephen Foster S. (G2)

Churchill Downs, Saturday, June 26, 2021, Race 11

• Grade II
• 1 1/8m
• Dirt
• $600,000
• 4 yo's & up
• 5:59 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	Chess Chief (VA)	John R. Velazquez	121	Dallas Stewart	-
2	Empty Tomb (KY)	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	119	Michael J. Maker	-
3	Necker Island (KY)	Mitchell Murrill	119	Chris A. Hartman	-
4	Sprawl (KY)	Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.	119	Thomas Drury, Jr.	-
5	Silver Dust (KY)	Adam Beschizza	119	W. Bret Calhoun	-
6	Warrior's Charge (FL)	Florent Geroux	119	Brad H. Cox	-
7	South Bend (KY)	Tyler Gaffalione	119	William I. Mott	-
8	Maxfield (KY)	Jose L. Ortiz	121	Brendan P. Walsh	-
9	Visitant (KY)	James Graham	119	William E. Morey	-