Belmont Stakes decision for Maxfield later this week

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A decision on whether Maxfield will run in the Belmont Stakes likely will come “in the latter half of this week,” trainer Brendan Walsh said Monday.

Maxfield, a Godolphin homebred, remained undefeated in three career starts by winning his 3-year-old debut in the May 23 Matt Winn at Churchill Downs in an effort that likely would make him one of the favorites in the June 20 Belmont. However, Walsh said he and the Godolphin team are proceeding methodically with Maxfield, who resumed training May 27 at Keeneland.

“He did come back perfect, thank goodness,” said Walsh. “I think we’ll have an idea about his next start fairly soon.”

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If for some reason Maxfield does not go in the Belmont, the July 11 Blue Grass at Keeneland is the logical next spot, said Walsh. Either way, the Kentucky Derby remains the primary goal, and Maxfield already is in a comfortable spot with 60 qualifying points toward the Sept. 5 race.

Meanwhile, a big spring meet at Churchill could have gotten even bigger Saturday for Walsh, whose turf fillies La Signare and Zofelle were nipped by Secret Message in a frantic ending to the Grade 3 Mint Julep. They wound up the respective second- and third-place finishers in a race in which the top five were separated by just a length and the top 11 by three lengths.

“Toward the end there, I thought I was going to win it with one, and then I thought I was going to win it with the other,” said Walsh. “And then I didn’t win with either. Still, they both ran great, and that’s all you can ask for.”

With five wins, Walsh enters this week in a four-way tie for second in the Churchill trainer standings, behind only Brad Cox (8).