Clock ticking on Maxfield's Kentucky Derby chances

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Maxfield continues to make steady progress in seeking to join the Kentucky Derby chase, although trainer Brendan Walsh keeps wondering – like everyone else – whether he has enough time.

“These next couple of weeks are very important, and we always want to do what’s right by the horse,” Walsh said early Monday, the day after Maxfield turned in his third breeze, a bullet half-mile in 48.40 seconds at the Palm Meadows training center. “He really is doing very well, but we’re just going to have to wait and see how he does before we make any firm decisions.”

Maxfield, a Godolphin homebred by Street Sense, has not raced since early October, when he won the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland in an effort to suggest major Derby potential. He underwent minor ankle surgery shortly after being scratched from the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, and after rehabilitation at Bridlewood Farm in central Florida, the colt returned Jan. 20 to Walsh’s care at Palm Meadows.

:: DERBY WATCH: Top 20 Kentucky Derby contenders with comments from Jay Privman and Marty McGee

Walsh doubts whether he can make the March 28 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, so the April 4 Blue Grass back at Keeneland has emerged as the most logical comeback spot.

“Time-wise, that’s what it looks like,” Walsh said. “It’s just a question of do you put him in against those horses that have been on the go all winter and spring, or do you try to find something easier and lower your sights.”

Walsh said he couldn’t be more pleased with how Maxfield has trained, but he’s fully cognizant that time is working against him.

“He did work really nice” Sunday, he said. “He galloped out good and seems like he’s doing as well as he ever has. We’ll continue to work him every six or seven days, depending on weather and how he comes out of his last work, and take it from there.”