The Maxfield Stakes – (Grade lll)

Purse $250.00 – For Three Year Olds

7 Furlongs – Dirt

Churchill Downs – June 28, 2026

Seven furlongs may have unlocked the very best of London, who put together an impressive performance to win the 5th running of The Maxfield Stakes. This is now the back-to-back wins at the distance for the son of Cheveley Park after taking down the King Corrie at Woodbine. The victory gave both Mo Mentum Farm and jockey Rafael Hernandez their first Maxfield Stakes win, coming in the race’s inaugural year as a Grade Three event. It’s a milestone achievement that adds another notable accomplishment to the résumés of horse, owner, and rider. The Ontario-bred now increases his earnings to $363.35 with five wins in ten career starts. London stopped the clock in 1:21.30 for the seven furlongs, establishing a new stakes record in the process. He actually ran .01 seconds faster than last year. Connections may now have their sights set on The Jerkens Memorial at the end of August, where this Mo Mentum Farm homebred could look to build on his latest success. Congratulations!

Winner: London – (Mo Mentum Farm, R M. Hernandez) This gelding broke a little slow on the rail and ended up further back than usual in the early stages. London saved all the ground as he settled down the backside in seventh. Passing the half-mile pole, jockey Rafael Hernandez had this son of Cheveley Park inching closer and closer with every stride. Things took a drastic turn as the field started rounding the far turn. London found himself tied with the leaders and looked poised to start drawing away. He took the solo lead at the top of the stretch and quickly put a length on his rivals. It was an easy final furlong for this guy as he strolled home to win by a comfortable half-length. No question a rising seven-furlong specialist.

Second Place: Magenta – (Alydar Stables, R. Bejarano) This colt needed a bounce-back effort after not being a factor in the Preakness, and he definitely delivered. Magenta broke slowly from the gate and was running in eighth down the backstretch. He ended up moving down on the rail hoping the pacesetters would burn themselves out. At the ⅜ pole, jockey Rafael Bejarano had to make a decision to go wide or track behind London. Magenta followed the eventual winner the entire way around the far turn and into the stretch. He was at a disadvantage because London had already put a length on the field at that point. This West Virginia-bred was left with a lot to do, but still made things interesting late to get second by a half length.

Third Place: Sinissipi Swinger – (TwinTowersRacing, M J. Sanchez) It was not an ideal trip for this son of Sinissipi Commander to say the least. Breaking from the gate, he stayed even with the field and was six-wide down the backstretch. Jockey Mychel Sanchez didn’t allow for any change in position rounding the far turn, keeping Sinissipi Swinger extremely wide. He was starting to make his move at the quarter pole, but was only going to do so much with all the ground that was lost. This California-bred was literally pushed out to the center of the racetrack down the stretch and was still able to close into third. Any other inside trip and I think this gelding has a chance to win. He also may have cemented himself as a sprinter.

Fourth Place: The Hunter – (Maxmillion Farm, S X. Bridgmohan) There was a dead heat for fourth place between The Hunter and Need Cash Now. This gelding pretty much broke the best of all and sat a good trip on the rail. He settled just to the inside of the filly Cold At Knight who set early fractions of: 22.80, 46.20, and 1:09.56. Passing the ⅜ pole, he started to mount his bid, but rivals were starting to pass on the inside and outside. It was pretty much over at the top of the stretch when London had put almost two lengths on The Hunter. Ground wasn’t being made up at that point, so jockey Shaun Bridgmohan was just trying to hit the board. He ended up finishing fourth in the fifth graded stakes effort of his career.

Fourth Place: Need Cash Now – (Mb Stables, J R. Velazquez) There was a dead heat for fourth place between The Hunter and Need Cash Now. This was the post time favorite after capturing the Grade One Stephens last time out. He also settled close to the speed just to the inside of Sinissipi Swinger about a length off the pacesetter. This Lone Star-bred started to inch closer rounding the far turn and had a head advantage at the quarter pole. Unfortunately, rivals started to pass Need Cash Now in the stretch and he wasn’t able to keep up. Jockey John Velazquez was able to save fourth place after giving up three lengths late. It was definitely a bit of a head scratcher, but I’m sure we’ll see this gelding in the winner’s circle again soon.

– AJM

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES