The Maxfield Stakes – (Grade lll)

Purse $250.00 – For Three Year Olds

7 Furlongs – Dirt

Churchill Downs – June 28, 2026

The 5th edition of the Maxfield Stakes enters a new chapter as the seven-furlong event for three-year-olds receives its first graded designation as a Grade Three race. Named in honor of multiple Grade One winner Maxfield, this stakes has quickly developed into a key proving ground for sophomore sprinters, and the upgrade only adds to its significance. No owner has enjoyed more success in the Maxfield Stakes than Fractious, who captured consecutive renewals in 2023 and 2024. The stable established itself as the race’s early pacesetter with those victories and remains the only owner to have won the event more than once. The stakes record was set last year when Noblepark’s Aggravated Jung took the field wire-to-wire as the post time favorite in a final time of 1:21.31. The absence of any previous winning owner ensures that a new stable will carve out its place in Maxfield Stakes history. We have a big field this year, so let’s take a deep dive into each contender!

1. London – (Mo Mentum Farm, R M. Hernandez) It’s been a very successful start to the 2026 season for this son of Cheveley Park, winning four of five races. He broke his maiden at Santa Anita around two turns, then stepped up nicely in a N1X at Fair Grounds. Connections tried putting London on the Kentucky Derby trail, but failed to fire in the Louisiana Derby. In his most recent start, this gelding won the King Corrie Stakes going seven furlongs. It was his second time trying the distance and he absolutely dominated the competition in a two-length wire-to-wire victory. It’s always a plus to have experience at this niche distance. London will be taking a step up, but he should be taken seriously.

2. The Hunter – (Maxmillion Farm, S X. Bridgmohan) Connections purchased this Kentucky-bred for $375.00 early this year after a notable two-year-old season. The Hunter went two turns for the first time in the Breeders Futurity and closed impressively down the stretch to get second. He ended the year in the Breeders Cup Juvenile, but failed to fire a winning effort. Now in 2026, Maxmillion Farm picked up this gelding and immediately went on the Kentucky Derby trail. The Hunter tried running in The Gotham and the Florida Derby against tough company. Sixth place was his best finish in those two races, so connections turned to sprint races and won back-to-back starts. One to watch.

3. Preterequine – (Temulac Farm, L. Saez) In an unusual career path, this son of Preternatural has raced for four different stables through his first eight starts. He broke his maiden for Mb Stables and went straight to the Sunland Derby. Preterequine ran second in that race, then was bought for $200.00. His new connections continued on the path for the Kentucky Derby, getting seventh in the Ruby Stakes. The gelding has shown improvement in his last two one-turn efforts, including a winning performance in his most recent outing. It’s clear that Preternatural can run some, but others arrive with stronger résumés and more proven form against graded competition.

4. Angel In Command – (Mb Stables, M. Franco) Couldn’t have had a better start to his career, winning his first two starts. Mb Stables then picked up Angel In Command from C And C Racing and entered in The Davis Stakes. He tried making every pole a winning one, but faded a bit late in the stretch to get seventh. This colt continued to run in stakes, which included taking on Grade One company in the Arkansas Derby. It was definitely a stiff test as Angel In Command finished eighth. Connections cut this New York-bred back in distance last time out and ran in a N3X at Keeneland. He tried to go wire-to-wire again, but yielded in the final furlong. Will his speed be too much for this field?

5. Magenta – (Alydar Stables, R. Bejarano) Comes in here after making a start in the Preakness last month. He drew the rail and ended up never being a factor throughout the race. This homebred’s last win came in a stakes at Gulfstream Park three starts back around one turn. Magenta settled second to last and came with an impressive stretch run to win by almost a length. He also had a start at the seven-furlong distance at Gulfstream, but it was on an off-track. His maiden victory was an eye-catching performance against West Virginia-breds. Magenta drew away nicely by a length, so his last few races against stakes company make sense. The seven furlongs is a question mark.

6. Cold At Knight – (Our Athletes, B. Curtis) This filly will try to take on the boys after winning her last two starts at the seven-furlong distance. She broke her maiden comfortably at Churchill Downs last year, winning by a length. Two races later, Cold At Knight had her coming out party after blowing out an N1X field at Tampa Bay Downs by three lengths. It was clear at that point this daughter of Our Dark Knight likes this niche distance. She comes off a Grade Two victory in the Eight Belles in a packed fourteen-horse field. Cold At Knight had a perfect stalking trip off the place and closed impressively down the stretch. It would definitely be cool to see this filly turn the tables on the boys!

7. Need Cash Now – (Mb Stables, J R. Velazquez) Made headlines in his last start winning the Grade One Woody Stephens at Saratoga by a length. Need Cash Now put up a career high 103 speed figure and ended up going off as the post time favorite. Two starts back, connections tried putting this Texas-bred on the lead to steal the Pat Day Mile on Kentucky Derby day. It looked like jockey Paco Lopez had this gelding in the clear, but he ended up yielding in the final furlong. Need Cash Now also made some appearances in derby points races earlier in the year with different instructions. I have to mention that this son of Oh I Like is 16.2 hands tall! No doubt my top pick in this race.

8. Sinissipi Swinger – (TwinTowersRacing, M J. Sanchez) This son of Sinissipi Commander didn’t have the best two-year-old season, but all he needed was to be gelded. He broke his maiden in his second start, then failed to fire in stakes and allowances after that. Connections decided to make the change in late 2025, which resulted in a three race win streak. Sinissipi Swinger won an N1X sprint at Parx and ended up on the derby trail after another victory in the Lewis Stakes. Most recently, this gelding came out of an allowance at Churchill Downs where he finished fifth by two lengths. Even if the seven furlongs hits him straight between the eyes, I just don’t see Sinissipi Swinger beating this bunch.

9. Tedy – (Royalty Stables, P. Lopez) An up-and-coming colt who only made his stakes debut last month. This Kentucky-bred ended his two-year-old season by breaking his maiden by a neck around two turns at Fair Grounds. Connections continued to race him at a mile, but never had much success. Things changed when Tedy entered in an N1X at Keeneland going seven furlongs. He sat the perfect trip and edged away late to score by a length. Royalty Stables stepped him up in class last time out in The Lang Stakes, where it seemed like new instructions were used. Tedy came from more off the pace and only managed to close into fourth. He will need to be more forwardly placed in here.

– AJM

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES