One Year Later, Rich Strike Looks to Get Back to the Top

After it had finally sunk in that he had won the 2022 GI Kentucky Derby with an 80-1 shot named Rich Strike (Keen Ice) that no one gave a chance, trainer Eric Reed started looking forward to when he would have his next taste of glory. Five races and 364 days later, he's still waiting. The year following the Derby has not been particularly kind to Rich Strike. He ran second in the GII Lukas Classic, but was out of the money in his four other starts. His 3-year-old campaign ended with a dull sixth-place finish in the GI Clark S. Nov. 25.

But a new year and a new race bring new opportunities and a clean slate. Rich Strike will make his 4-year-old debut Friday in the GII Alysheba S., a day shy of a year and at the same track where he stunned the racing world with his 3/4-length win in the Derby. There's a lot of karma there, but karma isn't going to get him into the winner's circle. Reed knows this, but remains optimistic that Rich Strike will be competitive throughout the year in top-class races.

“He's smarter and he's stronger and he's more mature,” Reed said. “He knows what's going on. He's turned out to be what we expected at four, stronger and smarter. He's ready. Last year, he was running on adrenaline and raw talent. This year, he's had the chance to mature out. He's a better horse this year. I think he'll run well in all his races and if he doesn't, we will be disappointed.”

It's not that he was terrible last year after the Derby. He just wasn't good enough.

“Since the Derby, he ran well in every race except for the Belmont and I still say that was my fault,” Reed said. “In the Clark, he was sick and we had no knowledge of that beforehand. He always showed up. He was a head away from beating Hot Rod Charlie in the Lukas Classic and had he won, that would have ended a lot of the talk.”

Reed said the main problem Rich Strike will face this year is the same problem he faced last year. He has no early speed and can find himself in a hopeless position if the pace up front isn't fast. His Derby win came after there was a pace meltdown in which they flew through early fractions of :21.78, :45.36 and 1:10.34.

“He's not going to win a lot of races because of his running style,” Reed said. “Even when everything goes right, it's hard for him to win because of the way he wants to run. We want him to do good and I think he will. I don't know how many races he will win this year, but he'll have to find a way to put himself into the races a little earlier to win.”

The Alysheba is run at a mile-and-a-sixteenth and Rich Strike probably needs more distance. He'll also be facing a tough group of rivals. Art Collector (Bernardini) won the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational, Last Samurai (Malibu Moon) has won a pair of graded stakes this year and West Will Power (Bernardini) is coming off a win in the GII New Orleans Classic. This may be the deepest group of older dirt males assembled so far this year. Rich Strike is 7-2 in the morning line, but that seems like an underlay.

“It's his first start back,” Reed said. “I don't have high expectations for a win, but it would be great if he did. We just need to get in the first start and get ready for his next start, the Stephen Foster. I think that's where our season will really start to take off.”

In the meantime, Reed said he plans to enjoy the week and treasure the memories. He said he has the same crew back from last year and they are going to gather for a barbecue on Thursday. Despite Rich Strike's losing streak, Reed is still focused on how great that accomplishment was one year ago.

“I do tend to relive it, probably a couple of times a week,” he said. “It's one of those things that will never go away. You have days when you get frustrated and then you take a step back and think about the Derby and everything is good.”

Everything would be even better if Rich Strike were to win another race, preferably a big one. Reed will give him his chances this year. No excuses. Now he just needs to show that he's good enough.

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Maxfield ‘Can Keep Improving,’ On Target For Stephen Foster

Godolphin's talented 4-year-old multiple graded stakes winner Maxfield is on target to make his next start in the $600,000 Stephen Foster (Grade 2) on June 26 at Churchill Downs.

“We brought him over to Keeneland after Derby Week at Churchill and we are targeting the Stephen Foster,” trainer Brendan Walsh said. “He'll make his way back to Churchill and we'll likely work him Saturday. I think the timing of this race works out well for us because it's the same timing following his race in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1). We know he loves it here at Churchill and I think with age and time he can keep improving.”

Maxfield rebounded from his third-place effort in the Santa Anita Handicap with a dominating 3 ¼-legnth score in the $400,000 Alysheba (G2) on the undercard of the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).

The homebred son of Street Sense was an early Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite in 2020 but was forced to the sidelines with an injury to his right front leg. The colt spent nearly seven months away from the winner's circle but returned at the end of his 3-year-old campaign with a 2 ½-length win the $75,000 Tenacious Stakes at Fair Grounds.

Nominations for the Stephen Foster close Saturday, June 12. The 1 1/8-mile race is a “Win and You're In” event for the Nov. 6 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar. The winner will receive a berth to the season-ending championship event.

Next Saturday is Stephen Foster Preview Day at Churchill Downs with seven stakes races. Many of those races will be used as stepping stones to seven stakes on Stephen Foster Day. The fields for Stephen Foster Preview Day continue to take shape and likely entrants will become available in the coming days.

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Maxfield Makes It Look Easy In Alysheba

Godolphin homebred Maxfield, undefeated until last month's Santa Anita Handicap (third), redeemed himself with a facile 3 1/4-length victory on Kentucky Oaks Friday at Churchill Downs. The 4-year-old son of Street Sense pulled away from his rivals with ease as the 1-2 favorite in the G2 Alysheba Stakes, dominating under Jose Ortiz to complete 1 1/16 miles over the fast main track in 1:41.39. Trained by Brendan Walsh, Maxfield has now won six of his seven lifetime starts to earn nearly $900,000.

“We're just delighted to get him back in the winner's circle again,” Walsh said. “He's a remarkable horse.”

First appearing on the major racing scene with a victory in the G1 Breeders' Futurity in 2019, Maxfield missed out on that year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita due to injury. He returned in May of 2020 to win the G3 Matt Winn Stakes, but was again sidelined until December, when he won the listed Tenacious Stakes at the Fair Grounds.

Hitting a rhythm this year, Maxfield won the G3 Mineshaft Stakes before running a good third in the G1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 6. He entered the starting gate this Friday as the 1-2 favorite in a field of six, and laid a comfortable third in the early going before ranging up three-wide to take command at the head of the lane.

Maxfield pulled away to an easy win, while frontrunner Visitant held on to be second by 4 1/4 lengths over Chess Chief. Roadster checked in fourth.

Bred in Kentucky by his owner, Maxfield is out of the winning Bernardini mare Velvety, a half-sister to Sky Mesa. His third dam is the multiple graded stakes winner Caress (Storm Cat).

Maxfield avenged his lone defeat last out at Santa Anita, winning the Alysheba by 3 1/4 lengths

Jose Ortiz (Jockey, Maxfield, winner) – “I was very confident all the way around. We were right where I wanted to be. When it came time to go, he was there for me. He's one of the nice ones.”

Brendan Walsh (Trainer, Maxfield, winner) – “I just told Jose (Ortiz) to get him in a nice rhythm, he likes to roll along and get into that cruising speed. He's an adaptable horse, so he's easy to ride under whatever the circumstances. Physically he's a stronger horse, as time's gone on, he's gradually filled out and he's up to his full maturity, which is exciting. He loves this track, and he hasn't done anything wrong. But actually he hasn't done anything wrong at any track where he's run. He's just a very good horse.”

Umberto Rispoli (Jockey, Visitant, runner-up) – “He's not a fast horse from the gate so I said to myself, 'I'll try to break in front of Roadster and see where I am into the first turn. I saw Irad (Oritz Jr.) on Roadster and I was happy to sit there and have a target. From there I went an easy pace and the horse really responded the whole way. Obviously when Maxfield comes around I have to go as he's got such a big stride. He really gave 100% to the wire but the winner was too good today.”

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Maxfield Returns to Winning Ways in Alysheba

Maxfield bounced back from his first-ever defeat to kick off Derby weekend's graded stakes action as a heavy favorite in Friday's GII Alysheba S. A head-turning winner of the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity as a juvenile, the Godolphin homebred was forced to miss the Breeders' Cup, but resurfaced a winner in the track-and-trip GIII Matt Winn S. last May and looked perfectly poised to take advantage of the pushed-back Triple Crown schedule last term. He was soon diagnosed with a condylar fracture, however, and eventually resurfaced to take the Dec. 19 Tenacious S. and Feb. 13 GIII Mineshaft S. at Fair Grounds, leading many to believe he was the best older horse in the country. Favored at 11-10 when attempting to get 10 panels in the Mar. 6 GI Santa Anita H., the Godolphin homebred could only manage third, beaten two lengths, behind a pair of locally based runners.

Away without incident from the outside six post, Maxfield settled in midpack out in the clear under stout restraint behind splits of :23.91 and :47.48. He ranged up ominously entering the home bend, poked a head in front near the quarter pole and edged away from resilient pacesetter Visitant before widening the gap late.

“I was very confident all the way around,” said winning pilot Jose Ortiz, who hadn't been on Maxfield since the Matt Winn. We were right where I wanted to be. When it came time to go, he was there for me. He's one of the nice ones.”

Trainer Brendan Walsh added, “I just told Jose to get him in a nice rhythm, he likes to roll along and get into that cruising speed. He's an adaptable horse, so he's easy to ride under whatever the circumstances. Physically he's a stronger horse, as time's gone on, he's gradually filled out and he's up to his full maturity, which is exciting. He loves this track, and he hasn't done anything wrong. But actually he hasn't done anything wrong at any track where he's run. He's just a very good horse.”

Friday, Churchill Downs
ALYSHEBA S. PRESENTED BY SENTIENT JET-GII, $400,000, Churchill Downs, 4-30, 4yo/up, 1 1/16m, 1:41.39, ft.
1–MAXFIELD, 120, c, 4, by Street Sense
1st Dam: Velvety, by Bernardini
2nd Dam: Caress, by Storm Cat
3rd Dam: La Affirmed, by Affirmed
O-Godolphin LLC; B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brendan P Walsh; J-Jose L Ortiz. $245,520. Lifetime Record: GISW, 7-6-0-1, $908,782. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Visitant, 118, h, 5, Ghostzapper–Peppermint Lounge, by Distorted Humor. O/B-Williamson Racing LLC (KY); T-William E Morey. $79,200.
3–Chess Chief, 123, h, 5, Into Mischief–Un Blessed, by Mineshaft. ($145,000 RNA Ylg '17 FTSAUG). O-Estate of James J Coleman Jr; B-Morgan's Ford Farm (VA); T-Dallas Stewart. $39,600.
Margins: 3 1/4, 4 1/4, HF. Odds: 0.50, 11.70, 7.90.
Also Ran: Roadster, Sonneman, Attachment Rate.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Pedigree Notes:

Maxfield's pedigree has Godolphin all over it from top to bottom, sired by Street Sense–a son of the operation's Street Cry (Ire)–and out of fellow Sheikh Mohammed homebred Velvety, a daughter of Street Sense's barnmate Bernardini. He is one of 11 Grade I winners, 35 graded winners and 78 black-type winners by Street Sense. Maxfield is also one of 11 Grade I victors, 28 graded scorers and 49 black-type winners out of a daughter of Bernardini, whose status as a top broodmare sire seems to increase each week.

Godolphin went to $3.1 million at the 2000 KEENOV sale to acquire Maxfield's second dam, MGSW Caress (Storm Cat), in foal to Coronado's Quest. Caress is responsible for Grade I-winning sire Sky Mesa (Pulpit) and MGSW Golden Velvet (Seeking the Gold), who is the dam of graded winners Lucullan (Hard Spun) and Innovative Idea (Bernardini). Maxfield was only Velvety's second foal and she has since produced the 3-year-old colt Dubai Vision (Medaglia d'Oro) and a juvenile filly by Medaglia d'Oro. Her 2020 colt by Street Sense died and she was bred back to Uncle Mo for 2021. This is also the family of graded winners Good Samaritan (Harlan's Holiday), Brave Nation (Pioneerof the Nile), Country Cat (Storm Cat), Della Francesca (Danzig) and Bernstein (Storm Cat).

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