The talented Maxfield (Street Sense) headlines a field of nine slated for Saturday's GII Stephen Foster S. at Churchill Downs, a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic.
After suffering his first career defeat finishing third in the GI Santa Anita H. Mar. 6, the Godolphin homebred got back on track with a strong performance in Churchill's GII Alysheba S. on the GI Kentucky Oaks undercard. It was 3 1/4 lengths back to Twinspires Kentucky Cup Classic S. winner Visitant (Ghostzapper) in second that day and another 4 1/4 lengths back to Chess Chief (Into Mischief) in third.
“We shipped him up from Keeneland last week and worked an easy half-mile [in :48 4/5 at Churchill Downs June 19],” trainer Brendan Walsh said of the 4-5 morning-line favorite. “He did most of his work at Keeneland prior to the Foster. He's a fit and happy horse. We're ready to go and excited to get this race underway.”
Maxfield's six-career victories include a win in the 2019 GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland.
Warrior's Charge (Munnings), winner of the 2020 GIII Razorback H. and GIII Philip Iselin S. via disqualification, looks to right the ship following a disappointing beginning to his 5-year-old campaign. He was sixth after a slow start in a sloppy renewal of the GIII Steve Sexton Mile S. at Lone Star last time May 31.
The 7-year-old gelding Silver Dust (Tapit), third in this race last year, enters off a win in the GIII Ben Ali in the Keeneland slop Apr. 10.
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