Gunite wins three-way photo to take Maxfield Stakes
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Gunite notched his first victory since the Grade 1 Hopeful last summer when out-gaming a pair of fellow 3-year-olds Sunday in the $160,000 Maxfield at Churchill Downs.
Coming through a rail opening as the field swung for home in the seven-furlong Maxfield, Gunite and jockey Tyler Gaffalione proved best in a three-way finish when going in 1:23.08 over a fast track.
Gunite won the Hopeful at Saratoga last September by 5 3/4 lengths before finishing fifth in the Champagne to end his 2-year-old season, then second behind the red-hot Conagher last month in a Churchill allowance when getting his 3-year-old season under way.
Gunite returned $3.80 as the favorite in a field of six 3-year-olds. My Prankster, the 7-5 second choice, rallied late when a half-length shy of the winner and a head before Hoist the Gold.
Gunite, by Gun Runner, was bred by his owner, Winchell Thoroughbreds.
“Very happy to have him back in the winner’s circle,” trainer Steve Asmussen said afterward. “Just another exceptional Gun Runner. Very excited to take him in to Saratoga off a win.”
Gunite sat just off the pace set by Overtaxed before Gaffalione moved him through in the upper stretch to suddenly wrest a short lead. Hoist the Gold, a 30-1 shot, raced alongside to the bitter end before losing the photo for second to a late-flying My Prankster.
The stakes victory was the ninth of the meet for Gaffalione, easily the leading jockey at a meet that began April 30.
The Maxfield, named for the Godolphin standout who swept the Stephen Foster and Clark last year at Churchill, was the second of two new stakes held on a 10-race Sunday card. Nearly three hours earlier, when the track was still muddy and sealed from an overnight soaking, Li’l Tootsie ($8.40) stretched out successfully in winning the $143,750 Anchorage by 3 1/2 lengths, finishing the one-turn mile in 1:37.17.
Ridden by Edgar Morales, Li’l Tootsie closely tracked the front-running 3-5 favorite, The Mary Rose, before taking over at the quarter pole and drawing off to her first stakes triumph in 16 career starts. Tom Amoss trains the 4-year-old Tapiture filly for Joel Politi.
Li’l Tootsie had run in seven straight races at six furlongs, dating to last summer, before being given more ground Sunday.
“She broke sharp and sat off the speed, then finished the job herself,” Morales said. “As soon as she got by [The Mary Rose], she just took off.”
Roc’s Princess, a 26-1 shot, rallied to edge Will’s Secret for second while The Mary Rose faded badly to finish last in a field of five fillies and mares.
* Churchill ends its 42-day spring meet Monday with a nine-race holiday card featuring three $175,000 stakes and mandatory pool disbursements. The carryover into the 20-cent Derby City 6 (races 4-9) stands at $166,544 for closing day.
* Into closing day, Asmussen holds a 24-23 lead over Brad Cox atop the trainer standings. Asmussen has entries in four races Monday, and Cox in just one.