Churchill Downs Barn Notes: Maxfield to Get Remainder of 2019 Off, Target 2020 Campaign

Nov 10, 2019 Kevin Kerstein,Churchill Downs Communications

Godolphin’s highly-regarded colt Maxfield, who scratched out of last weekend’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Grade I), will get a freshening for the remainder of 2019 and target a 2020 campaign, according to his trainer Brendan Walsh.

Maxfield, an impressive 5 ½-length winner of the $500,000 Breeders’ Futurity (Grade I) at Keeneland, was scratched from the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile because of a minor foot bruise.

“If he even had a hair turn we were going to scratch him,” Walsh said. “He just wasn’t right so obviously we weren’t going to take any chances. Our goal with him has always been a 3-year-old campaign. I was surprised he broke his maiden like he did first out. I thought he would be the type of horse that would take some time to break his maiden.

“He’ll get a break at the farm for a little while and I’ll bring him back next year. I haven’t completely mapped out a campaign next year for the Derby. This horse can really be anything. He’s extremely special.”

Walsh reported Maxfield will likely return to his Florida base this winter.

Maxfield will likely be an individual interest in the first pool of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager that is scheduled for Nov. 28-Dec. 1. The four-day pool, which will run concurrently with the Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager, will feature 23 individual interests and an “all others” interest for any other 2-year-old horse not listed. The field for the first future wager pools will be announced the week of Nov. 25. For more information, visit www.kentuckyderby.com/futurewager.

STAKES PROBABLES – Saturday’s 11-race program at Churchill Downs will feature the Grade III, $175,000 River City at 1 1/8 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course. The following horses are likely to enter the race, according to Churchill Downs Assistant Racing Secretary and Stakes Coordinator Dan Bork: Emmaus (IRE) (trainer Conor Murphy), Get Western (Charlie LoPresti) and Mr. Misunderstood (Brad Cox).

Trainer Mike Maker reported on Saturday that he will likely enter three horses for the River City. Maker nominated six horses to the race: Apreciado, Bemma’s Boy, Cullum Road, Krewe Chief, Marzo and Space Mountain.

Entries for Saturday’s card will take place on Wednesday.

DOWN THE STRETCH – The 20-cent Single 6 Jackpot has a four-day carryover of $49,920 into racing on Sunday. First post is 1 p.m. … Entering Sunday’s card at Churchill Downs, Mike Maker was two wins away from 400 victories beneath the Twin Spires. He had four entries. … Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen was tied with fellow Hall of Famer Bill Mott for second in the all-time standings at Churchill Downs with 717 wins. Asmussen had one entry on Sunday while Mott had two. … Churchill Downs will honor the life of late jockey Anthony Groth in Race 8 on Sunday. … There were 242 horses with published workouts on Sunday morning at Churchill Downs including $175,000 River City (GIII) competitor Mr. Misunderstood (four furlongs, :48.20); $400,000 First Lady (GII) runner-up Juliet Foxtrot (four furlongs, :47.60); and $120,000 Rags to Riches winner Finite (five furlongs, 1:02.20). … Racing will continue on Wednesday-Sunday with a first post daily of 1 p.m. For more information about the Churchill Downs Fall Meet visit www.churchilldowns.com.