Maxfield closes out career in style with victory in G1 Clark

Son of Street Sense a perfect five-for-five at Churchill Downs

Maxfield put away rival Midnight Bourbon at the top of the lane, then gamely held off the late challenge from Happy Saver to win the G1 Clark Stakes by a half-length at Churchill Downs Nov. 26.

The Clark was the career finale for the four-year-old colt, who is set to join his sire, Street Sense, on the stallion roster at Darley at Jonabell in 2022. Maxfield closes out his career unbeaten in five starts at Churchill Downs, which also includes victories in the G2 Stephen Foster and G2 Alysheba Stakes. A winner of the G1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity as a juvenile, Maxfield was never out of the money in 11 career starts and has earned close to $2 million.

Ridden once again by jockey Jose Ortiz, Maxfield tracked Midnight Bourbon through moderate early fractions of :23.83 and :48.00. He moved up to engage his rival at the top of the stretch and was able to take the lead with a furlong to run. Maxfield then gamely held off a late bid from Happy Saver to prevail by a half-length.

Maxfield was bred in Kentucky by Godolphin, and is out of the mare Velvety, a winning daughter of Darley stallion, Bernardini. Velvety is out of the multiple Graded Stakes-winner, Caress (G3 Beaugay, G3 Poker H., etc.), and is a half-sister to Sky Mesa (G1 Hopeful) and Golden Velvet (G3 Sixty Sails).

In addition to Maxfield, Street Sense is also represented by 2021 Graded Stakes winners Zaajel (G2 Mother Goose), Concert Tour (G2 Rebel) and Minister (G1 Kranji Mile in Singapore). 

Street Sense will stand the 2022 breeding season for $75,000, stands and nurses, at Jonabell Farm in Kentucky.