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‘Fit And Happy’ Maxfield Faces Eight Rivals In Saturday’s Stephen Foster

Godolphin's multiple graded stakes-winning homebred Maxfield leads a field of nine older horses that were entered in Saturday afternoon's featured 40th running of the $600,000 Stephen Foster (Grade 2) – one of seven stakes events on the 12-race closing day program at Churchill Downs.

Saturday's first race is 12:45 p.m. (all times Eastern) and the Stephen Foster will go as Race 11 with a post time of 5:59 p.m. The supporting stakes on the card are the $300,000 Fleur de Lis (G2), $300,000 Wise Dan (G2), $150,000 Bashford Manor (G3), $150,000 Debutante (Listed), $150,000 Tepin and $150,000 War Chant.

The 1 1/8-mile Stephen Foster is a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” event for the $6 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). The winner will receive an all entry fees paid berth to the season ending championship event on Nov. 6 at Del Mar.

Maxfield, a 4-year-old son of Kentucky Derby-winner Street Sense, won the $400,000 Alysheba (G2) eight weeks ago at Churchill Downs. Trained by Brendan Walsh, New York-based jockey Jose Ortiz has the call from post position No. 8.

“We shipped him up from Keeneland last week and worked an easy half-mile (at Churchill Downs),” Walsh said. “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 was on the Road to the Kentucky Derby in 2020 when he cruised to a one-length victory in the $150,000 Matt Winn (G3). Unfortunately, due to a condylar fracture following a workout at Keeneland, Maxfield went on the sidelines until the fall. Through seven lifetime starts, Maxfield has recorded six victories and boasts earnings of $908,782. The only blemish in his career came in the $400,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) where he finished third to Idol.

Among Maxfield's rivals in the Stephen Foster is Tom Durant's five-time graded stakes winner Silver Dust. Trained by Bret Calhoun, Silver Dust was the half-length winner of the $150,000 Ben Ali (G3) at Keeneland. The 7-year-old son of Tapit was attempting to prep for the Foster in the $150,000 Blame at Churchill Downs on May 29 but was scratched after acting up in the starting gate. Since the Blame, Silver Dust returned to the work tab three times for Calhoun. Silver Dust finished third in last year's Stephen Foster behind Tom's d'Etat and By My Standards. Jockey Adam Beschizza, who has been aboard Silver Dust for his previous six starts, has the call from post 5.

The Estate of James Coleman Jr.'s Chess Chief finished third to Maxfield in the Alysheba and trainer Dallas Stewart will be hoping for redemption in the Stephen Foster. The four-time winner achieved graded stakes glory in March with a narrow victory over Owendale in the $400,000 New Orleans Classic (G2). Stewart enlisted the riding services of Hall of Famer John Velazquez for the Stephen Foster and the duo will break from the rail.

The other top entrants in Saturday's Stephen Foster are Ten Strike Racing and Madaket Stables' Grade 3 winner Warrior's Charge; Williamson Racings' two-time stakes winner Visitant; Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable, Peter Deutsch and Pantofel Stable's graded stakes placed South Bend; Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider's stakes-placed Sprawl; Raymond Daniels, Wayne Scherr and Will Harbut Racing's recent allowance hero Necker Island; and Three Diamonds Farm's four-time winner Empty Tomb.

The complete field from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):

Chess Chief (Velazquez, Stewart)
Empty Tomb (Ricardo Santana Jr., Mike Maker)
Necker Island (Mitchell Murrill, Chris Hartman)
Sprawl (Brian Hernandez Jr., Tommy Drury Jr.)
Silver Dust (Beschizza, Calhoun)
Warrior's Charge (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox)
South Bend (Tyler Gaffalione, Bill Mott)
Maxfield (Ortiz, Walsh)
Visitant (James Graham, Bill Morey)

Tickets are available for Saturday's closing day program online at www.churchilldowns.com/tickets. Admission gates will open at 11:30 a.m. and “Churchill Downs Today” will air at 11:45 a.m. throughout the racetrack and on www.TwinSpires.com, the official online wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated.

Saturday's program also will air on “America's Day at the Races” on Fox Sports 2 from 12:30-6:30 p.m.

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Brook Smith’s Splashy Claims To Support Churchill’s Backside Learning Center

Long-time supporter of Churchill Downs' Backside Learning Center supporter, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and owner of Rocket Ship Launch Pad Racing, Brook Smith made headlines when he claimed three horses for $100,000 each out of Saturday's fourth race at Churchill Downs. All three will be enrolled in the BLC's Purses for a Purpose program. A percentage of each horse's winnings will be donated to the program to support BLC's mission to build community and enrich the lives of backside workers and their families.

The BLC is the only organization of its kind in the country. Based at Churchill Downs, the BLC serves equine workers throughout the Louisville and Kentucky areas. The organization provides comprehensive educational programming and social services to this important community which serves as the backbone for Kentucky's Thoroughbred industry.

Smith proposed the concept “Purses for A Purpose” to the BLC about three years ago, as a mechanism for owners and trainers to directly support the organization.

“When launching RSLP Racing, beyond the excitement of doing things a bit differently–making a splash, thoughts immediately went to supporting those that make horse racing possible, the backside,” said Smith. “RSLP will give 4% of the purses of its runners to support the Backside Learning Center. At present there are eight RSLP horses and growing. It's time we all contribute to those who are making the industry great.”

“We are so fortunate to have Brook in our corner,” said Sherry Stanley, executive director of the BLC. “Since we met him about five years ago, he has brought some incredibly innovative and strategic ideas to us with the goal of helping us build sustainability. He has always recognized the critical role of this organization, which plays a key role in the success of the entire industry by supporting those who work behind the scenes and are its true unsung heroes.”

Click here for more information on how to become involved with Purses for a Purpose.

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Father’s Day: Churchill Horsemen Share Their Favorite Lessons From Dad

There are many second and third generation trainers and horse people on the backside of Churchill Downs. In honor of Father's Day, the Churchill media team asked several what advice or life lessons they have learned from their father:

Trainer Buff Bradley (son of late owner/breeder Fred Bradley): “One of the key things my dad taught me about horses was to have patience. When a horse needs time off, give them the time they need. In the end, the horses will reward you.”

Breeders' Cup Communications and Social Media Manager Hayley Amoss (daughter of trainer Tom Amoss): “He always tells my sister (Ashley) and me is that life is cyclical. It's not a linear path to success and you will have highs and lows. When you have the highs, take a step back and appreciate the moments with those you love, and when you're in the lows, grind it out because times will get better.”

Jockey Declan Carroll (son of assistant trainer David Carroll): “He taught me to always work hard and be positive. No matter how things may be going in life or riding, keep a positive attitude and work hard. Things are not given, they are earned. He gave me the opportunity to grow up from a very young age and learn from the start. If it wasn't for him I would be completely lost. He's there for all my ups and downs. He's my biggest critic and supporter.”

Trainer Norm Casse (son of trainer Mark Casse): “Dad always treats everyone with respect and I try to do the same. I feel like that, above many other things, is the most important thing he's taught me in life. Horse racing wise, the list would be too long.”

Trainer Greg Foley (son of late trainer Dravo Foley): “He taught me everything about being a horseman. My sister (Vickie Foley) and I grew up on the backside with him and he gave us the knowledge about horses and this sport.”

Assistant trainer Travis Foley and MagnaWave Specialist Alex Foley (sons of trainer Greg Foley) via joint text: “Of course, the easy answer is he taught us his sense of style. Jokes aside, he's showed us how to work hard, handle your business, treat people well and just try to not get too high or low depending on how the racing Gods may be treating you. He's been a great example of controlling what you can and being very consistent in everything you do.”

Jockey Chris Landeros (son of exercise rider Manny Landeros): “Throughout the ups and downs of our job, my dad always taught me to never give up. We go through many good times and bad but throughout it all he's always been consistent telling me never to give up.”

Jockey agent Jake Romans (son of trainer Dale Romans): “He's taught me so much in my life and continues to do so every day. When I first became an agent I remember him telling me to always keep an even temperament. There are many highs and lows of this sport and never get too high with the highs or too low with the lows.”

Jockey agent Brodie Wilkes (son of trainer Ian Wilkes): “He has always taught me to never stop learning. Every day that goes by you can learn something new. Then, he would always joke that the quicker I learn the sooner he can retire.”

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Sconsin Using Overnight Stakes As ‘Final Hurdle’ Before Grade 1 Ballerina

Lloyd Madison Farm's multiple graded stakes-winning filly Sconsin has not traveled very far from her own stall throughout her 12-race career but trainer Greg Foley is hoping with a successful result in Saturday's $110,000 Roxelana Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs, the four-time winner can ship to Saratoga for the $500,000 Ballerina Handicap (Grade 1).

“Churchill is home, we always prefer to run our horses out of their own stall and her track record here all made this race very attractive,” Foley said. “We had a tentative summer plan for her by working backwards from the (Aug. 28) Ballerina and so far she's handled everything we've thrown at her with flying colors. The Roxelana is the final hurdle before we have to go on the road.”

Sconsin, a 4-year-old homebred daughter of Include, recorded three of her four lifetime victories beneath the Twin Spires including a convincing 3 ¼-length score in last month's $150,000 Winning Colors (G3). She finished second to top filly and mare sprinter Gamine in the $500,000 Derby City Distaff (G1) on the undercard of the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Saturday's 6 ½-furlong Roxelana is carded as Race 10 of 11 with a post time of 5:26 p.m. (all times Eastern). The program will get underway at 12:45 p.m.

The complete field for the Roxelana from the rail out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds):

Shesomajestic (Joe Talamo, Michelle Nihei, 20-1)
Miss Mosaic (Colby Hernandez, Ben Colebrook, 12-1)
Four Graces (Julien Leparoux, Ian Wilkes, 7-2)
Bell's the One (Corey Lanerie, Neil Pessin, 7-5)
Sconsin (Tyler Gaffalione, Foley, 1-1)
Jungle Juice (IRE) (Adam Beschizza, Anna Meah, 30-1).

Fans can catch the Roxelana, along with the entire 11-race program, on “America's Day at the Races.” The action is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. on Fox Sports 2. Wagering is available online at www.TwinSpires.com, the official ADW of Churchill Downs Incorporated.

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