Maxfield Confirmed for Santa Anita Handicap

After winning three graded stakes Feb. 27, topped by a victory from Essential Quality in the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park, Godolphin has its eye on another rich prize: the $400,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) March 6. Godolphin, founded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, intends to run Maxfield in the 1 1/4-mile race at Santa Anita Park with Florent Geroux to ride, trainer Brendan Walsh said Feb. 28. A 4-year-old Street Sense homebred, Maxfield, 5-for-5, won the 2019 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland at age 2, and scored a pair of clear-cut stakes victories this winter at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, taking the Tenacious Stakes followed by the Mineshaft Stakes (G3). He also won the Matt Winn Stakes (3) at Churchill Downs last year at 3. "He's had a couple of runs at Fair Grounds, which was great to get those runs into him. He was so lightly raced," Walsh said of the colt, whose has twice been sidetracked by injuries. "This race has actually been in our minds for a while. A mile and a quarter—it should be a good test for the horse on another track. Obviously, it's a chance for the horse in a grade 1 for an older horse. There's not that many of them this early in the year." Maxfield is the 124-pound high weight for the Santa Anita Handicap. Heading the California opposition (with weights) are Express Train (123), Independence Hall (120), and Idol (119). Walsh said he is happy to see the depth of talent among Godolphin horses this year. Besides Essential Quality, who won for trainer Brad Cox, other Saturday winners for the operation included the Mike Stidham-trained Mystic Guide scored in the Razorback Handicap (G3) and the Bill Mott-trained Antoinette took The Very One Stakes (G3T) for trainer Bill Mott. "Hopefully we have a strong hand this year, all around, 3-year-olds and the older horses. Hopefully we can keep the thing going next weekend," Walsh said. Maxfield travels to California from New Orleans March 1, the trainer added. The Santa Anita Handicap is one of five stakes at the California track Saturday, co-headed by the $400,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1T) and the $300,000 San Felipe Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. According to agent Scotty McClellan, jockey Umberto Rispoli will stay aboard Smooth Like Strait in the Kilroe Mile, while trainer Dan Blacker has given the mount on Hit The Road to Geroux. The two horses are likely to be among the race favorites. Bob Baffert intends to run graded stakes winners Medina Spirit and Life Is Good in the San Felipe. The latter worked six furlongs Sunday in 1:12 1/5. "He went well," Baffert said after the 9 a.m. PT drill. "I'm happy. We're all set."