Allowance winner Americanus earns a Derby prep chance

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Americanus earned himself an opportunity to compete in one of the upcoming Kentucky Derby preps after winning a loaded first-level allowance race for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs Saturday.

Americanus slipped up the rail under jockey Javier Castellano to register a one-length victory over debut winner Violent City, with the highly regarded pair of Silver Ratio and Cost Basis also in his wake. The win was the second in four starts for Americanus, a son of War Front who posted a career-high 82 Beyer Speed Figure in the process.

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“I think it was a solid group he beat,” trainer Mark Hennig said. “In his previous start we kind of got stuck being the chaser, which is not really what he wants to do. This race had plenty of pace in it, and he was able to place himself where he didn’t have to rush or anything and was able to finish with good energy.

“I think he’s a horse who is going to stretch out some, I don’t know how far, but he’s certainly earned himself a way to some stakes, somewhere. The Gotham in three weeks probably comes back too fast after the hard effort he put in here. But if he comes out of this good, we’ll take one shot [in a Derby prep] and see where he lands.”

Hennig also will have his top 3-year-old filly prospect Maedean in action here Saturday going one mile in the Grade 2 Davona Dale. Maedean will be part of a field expected to include the undefeated Tonalist’s Shape, Spice is Nice, Bayerness, Chart, Dream Marie, Emily’s Oasis, and Nikki and Papa.

◗ Maxfield, who was injured just days before Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and was among the Eclipse Award finalists in the 2-year-old male division in 2019, had his second work since shipping locally earlier this month, breezing an easy half-mile in 50.60 seconds on Monday at Palm Meadows, according to Daily Racing Form clocker Donald Harris. Trainer Brendan Walsh has not picked out a specific target for Maxfield’s return.

◗ Trainer Jimmy Jerkens said he will likely look to stretch out his impressive 3-year-old debut winner Edge of Fire when the Canadian-bred son of Curlin makes his next start. Edge of Fire rallied to a popular two-length victory going six furlongs launching his career here Feb. 1.

“The owners want to see if he can do something here, so we’ll pick something out in the next book,” Jerkens said. “I wouldn’t hesitate stretching him to a one-turn mile. We’ll give him that chance, and if it doesn’t work out, we always have the Queen’s Plate and those races to think about.”