Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Walsh has done his part, now it’s Maxfield’s turn to step up
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It’s hard to imagine a scenario wherein Maxfield would have gotten past Knicks Go to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic last weekend. In that respect, skipping the $6 million race and waiting instead for the $750,000 Clark at Churchill Downs was a sage move by trainer Brendan Walsh.
But to make it an even better decision, “we still have to go out and win the Clark,” Walsh said.
It’s the type of feat easier said than done, although Maxfield is likely to be favored when the Grade 1 Clark is run Nov. 26 under the Churchill lights. The 4-year-old colt will be making the final start of his career before heading off to stud at Darley, and Walsh is intent on making it a happy farewell.
Maxfield went five furlongs in company Thursday morning in 59.60 seconds over a fast Churchill surface in the penultimate work of his stellar career, with the final drill tentatively scheduled for this coming Thursday or Friday.
Maxfield has earned Beyer Speed Figures ranging from 103 to 105 in each of his last four starts, the latest being a runner-up finish in the Woodward on Oct. 2 at Belmont Park.
“It’ll be hard to say goodbye,” said Walsh, “because I’m very fond of the horse. Not just because he was so talented, but he’s just the coolest horse as well. We’ll miss him.”
Maxfield will be looking to put the proverbial cherry on top of an incredible year for his owner-breeder, Godolphin, the powerhouse outfit widely expected to collect its fourth Eclipse Award for outstanding owner when votes are tallied early next year.
Among the confirmed opposition for the Street Sense colt in the 147th Clark is the standout 3-year-old Midnight Bourbon. Nominations for the 1 1/8-mile Clark and the other fall meet closing-week stakes were due this weekend.
Midnight Bourbon, trained by Steve Asmussen, also has been on a steady work pattern at Churchill in recent weeks, with the most recent move being a five-furlong breeze Monday in a minute flat. The Tiznow colt earned a 107 Beyer Speed Figure when second in each of his last two races, the Travers and Pennsylvania Derby.
Baladi back to a sprint
Walsh and Godolphin will team Sunday at Churchill with the 2-year-old homebred Baladi in the nominal feature, a $127,000, first-level allowance at six furlongs. Joel Rosario has the call on Baladi, a gray colt by the late Pioneerof the Nile.
After romping by 5 1/2 lengths at six furlongs when making his career debut at Ellis Park in August, Baladi was defeated in two subsequent starts at longer distances.
“We’re going back to sprinting with him,” Walsh said. “At least we know he can do that.”
One other allowance sprint (race 5) also is part of a ninerace card that marks the exact midway point of the 21-day fall meet at dirt-only Churchill.
Mandaloun resumes training
Mandaloun, the 2021 Kentucky Derby runner-up who stands to be named the winner if Medina Spirit ultimately is disqualified for a medication positive, returned to light training this week at Churchill following a break of several months.
Trainer Brad Cox said Mandaloun will ship to Fair Grounds in New Orleans with the balance of his best horses shortly after the Churchill meet ends Nov. 28. The Juddmonte Farms homebred got a freshening after winning the Haskell on July 17 at Monmouth Park by disqualification.
‘Beverly’ wins 8th straight
Beverly Park ran his 2021 record to a remarkable 8 for 8 in winning a 5 1/2-furlong, firstlevel allowance by 5 1/2 lengths Thursday in the Churchill slop. John McKee was aboard the 4-year-old Munnings colt for owner-trainer Norman Cash, who in April saddled his first-ever starter as a Thoroughbred trainer after years of overseeing a successful roofing business in Wyoming and Montana.
Claimed for $12,500 at Belterra Park in August from his second win of the year, Beverly Park now has won six in a row for Cash. His latest triumph equated to an 87 Beyer.
Bass in action again
Jockey agent Steve Bass, out of action for the last 12 months, will represent Joe Rocco Jr. at Turfway Park, where four months of winter racing begins Dec. 2. Bass, a former jockey, is best known for his 15-year tenure as agent for Julien Leparoux.
Rocco is among a host of accomplished riders staying put in Kentucky for the winter, along with Joe Talamo, Rafael Bejarano, Chris Landeros, Gerardo Corrales, and others. Purses for maiden-specials at Turfway have been set at $62,000, including substantial bonuses for registered Kentucky-breds.
◗ The only stakes next weekend at Churchill is the Grade 3, $300,000 Chilukki, a onemile race for fillies and mares on Saturday. Probable starters from a nominations list of 22 include Matera, Miss Bigly, Obligatory, Pass the Plate, Sally’s Curlin, and She Can’t Sing.
◗ The first of five pools in the 2022 Kentucky Derby Future Wager will be held Nov. 25-28, along with the Derby sires future wager. This will be the 24th year for the parimutuel pools.