Maxfield charges into Kentucky Derby contention with triumphant return at Churchill
Godolphin’s talented Kentucky-bred Maxfield made a triumphant return at Churchill Downs on Saturday, rallying late to edge Ny Traffic by one length in the 23rd running of the Grade 3, $150,000 Matt Winn Stakes for 3-year-olds.
“Maxfield is thinking Derby,” Travis Stone, the voice of Churchill Downs exclaimed when the colt crossed the finish line to remain unbeaten in three starts.
Maxfield clocked 1 1/16 miles over a fast track in 1:43.05 and earned 50 points toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby. The Matt Winn, which offered points on a scale of 50-20-10-5 to the top four finishers, was converted into a Kentucky Derby prep when the 146th Run for the Roses was rescheduled to Sept. 5 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We were really anxious to see this one,” Maxfield trainer Brendan Walsh said. “It wasn’t an easy spot either. I think the top four horses are all really nice horses. It’s nice to get this one out of the way. It’s good to see him come back and see he’s as good if not better than when he was a 2-year-old.”
Ridden by Jose Ortiz, Maxfield was eighth down the backstretch but was only three lengths behind pacesetter Celtic Striker, who led the field of 10 through quarter-mile fractions of :23.98 and :48.21. Pneumatic and Ny Traffic, who pressed the pace most of the way, took over out of the final turn. Maxfield burst into contention with a wide move down the middle of the track, drew even with the leaders with a furlong left and inched clear in the final yards.
“The start is a key part of the race,” Ortiz said. “Last time I worked him out of the gate at Keeneland he worked better. He’s really matured a lot. If you can keep breaking like he did today and be in a spot like he did, he’s going to be a really nice horse.”
Maxfield had been on the sidelines since his victory in the Grade 1, $500,000 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland in early October. He was one of the likely favorites for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile but was forced to scratch because of a minor issue in his right front leg.
Maxfield returned $4.60, $3.80 and $2.80 as the 6-5 favorite. Ny Traffic, ridden by Paco Lopez, returned $4.40 and $3 and finished three-quarters of a length in front of Pneumatic who paid $2.80 to show under Ricardo Santana Jr.
War Chant
Smooth Like Strait pulled away after an early duel and won the inaugural $100,000 War Chant Stakes by 1 3/4 lengths over Pixelate.
Smooth Like Strait, trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by John Velazquez, defeated a dozen rival 3-year-olds as he covered 1 mile on firm turf in 1:36.77.
“The turf was really firm the entire day and I was really excited about my horse’s chances,” Velazquez said. “Then, right before the race, the rain started but I’m really proud that he handled everything well. He ran a hard race.”
The victory was worth $57,040 and increased Smooth Like Strait’s earnings to $178,323 with a record of 3-1-1 in seven starts. Smooth Like Strait returned $12.20, $7.20 and $5.20 as the 5-1 third-betting choice. Pixelate, ridden by Joel Rosario, returned $10.60 and $7 and finished a half-length in front of 3-1 favorite Field Pass, who paid $3.80 to show under Jose Ortiz.
Blame Stakes
Owendale charged from the back of the pack and won a three-wide duel to claim victory in the $100,000 Blame Stakes at Churchill on Saturday.
Breaking from the gate at 7-2 odds with jockey Florent Geroux aboard, Owendale rallied for his fourth stakes victory in his 4-year-old debut. It was the first start for the Brad Cox trainee since he won the Grade 1 Clark Stakes at Churchill last November.
The top two choices missed the board in the Blame. Favored Global Campaign, coming off an allowance victory at Gulfstream Park, was defeated for the first time. Mr. Money, who won four graded stakes races last year, including two at Churchill, finished fourth. Everfast finished second, while Silver Dust rounded out the trifecta.
Jockey shuffle
Top jockeys from across the country set up shop at Churchill Downs throughout the opening two weeks of the track’s delayed Spring Meet but several riders such as Javier Castellano, Jose Ortiz, Joel Rosario and John Velazquez plan to bolt for New York once Belmont Park opens on June 3. With the Triple Crown schedule thrown into flux because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Belmont Stakes will this year represent the first leg when it’s contested on June 20.
“I really enjoy riding at Churchill Downs but New York is home for my family and me,” Castellano said. “I’m thankful Churchill was able to open early and let us ride here.”
Through the first four days of racing at Churchill Downs, New York-based jockeys had won 10 of 42 races with Hall of Fame rider Velazquez tied alongside Ricardo Santana Jr. atop the rider standings at four wins.
“We love Kentucky racing and the people here but Jose is going to head home. It’s been a long time since he’s been there,” Ortiz’s agent Jimmy Riccio said.