Maxfield Mashes Mineshaft

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Godolphin homebred Maxfield extended his unbeaten record to 5, mashing his rivals like potatoes to win Saturday’s $200,000 Mineshaft Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds.

Maxfield broke a step slow from post 4 under Florent Geroux as the 3/5 heavy favorite and trailed early before joining up with the field heading into the clubhouse turn.

Dinar shot out swiftly and led by as many as 10 lengths while posting opening fractions of :23.97, :47.49, and 1:13.06, but the rest of the field caught him midway through the far turn.

Maxfield ranged up three-wide while cornering and wrestled command away from momentary new leader Blackberry Wine by the 3/16 pole, then drew off impressively.

The Brendan Walsh trainee crossed 3 1/4 lengths clear, completing the 1 1/16-mile fast dirt route in 1:43.67.

Sonneman rallied to take second by a 1/2-length over Chess Chief.

Blackberry Wine, Enforceable, and Dinar completed the order of finish.

Wells Bayou was a trainer scratch.

Maxfield’s win was his second straight over this course following last December’s Tenacious Stakes, which he conquered despite returning from a 7-month layoff. The 4-year-old Street Sense colt has now earned $615,262.

Maxfield returned $3.20 to win, $2.40 to place, and $2.10 to show. Sonneman brought back $6.80 to place and $4.40 to show. Chess Chief paid $4 to show.