Godolphin homebred Maxfield , trained by Brendan Walsh, worked five furlongs from the gate July 31 under Jose Ortiz in preparation for the $1 million Whitney Stakes (G1) Aug. 7 at Saratoga Race Course.
Maxfield, who breezed in company with 3-year-old maiden winner Business Model over the Spa's fast main track, was caught by NYRA clockers through splits of :24 3/5, :48 2/5, and stopped the clock in 1:01.61.
"I just wanted the company to take him to the wire," Walsh said. "I think the best part of it was the gallop out from the wire to an eighth out. I had him out in 1:13 and change. He's doing good. I couldn't ask for more than that."
A winner in seven of eight starts, the 4-year-old Street Sense colt will enter the 1 1/8-mile Whitney off scores at Churchill Downs in the 1 1/16-mile Alysheba Stakes Presented by Sentient Jet (G2) April 30 and the 1 1/8-mile Stephen Foster Stakes (G2) June 26.
The Whitney is a Breeders' Cup Challenge qualifier for the Nov. 6 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar,
Walsh said Maxfield is thriving ahead of his first Saratoga start.
"He's doing as well as he's ever done right now," Walsh said. "I hope he can run at least as well as he's done these last couple times and maybe even a little bit better. He likes it up here and is in a great frame of mind."
Shortly after Maxfield breezed, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher sent out St. Elias Stable's multiple graded stakes winner Dr Post, last-out winner of the Monmouth Cup Stakes (G3) July 17 at Monmouth Park, in company with Wertheimer and Frere homebred Happy Saver to work a half-mile in :49.25.
Happy Saver, winner of last year's Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), is under consideration for a start in the Whitney. His first loss in six starts came last out when third in the July 3 Suburban Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park.
Pletcher said he is also considering the Aug. 21 TVG Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar for both Dr Post and Happy Saver as he looks to keep the pair separated with the 1 1/4-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup slated for Sept. 4 at the Spa. Both races are Breeders' Cup Challenge events.
"I thought the work was solid," Pletcher said. "We'll see how (Happy Saver) bounces out of it. I haven't quite decided on the Whitney yet. There's also the Pacific Classic in between. I just have to weigh my options. It might give me an opportunity to split the two of them up if I don't run Happy Saver in the Whitney."
Allied Racing Stable and Spendthrift Farm's By My Standards , second in the Whitney a year ago, is scheduled to arrive at Saratoga from Colonial Downs Aug. 4 for another chance in the race. Last out he was a late-closing second to fellow Whitney contestant Silver State in the June 5 Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap (G1) at Belmont.
"That's one of the things that impressed me about his last race, he ran so well and it wasn't his ideal distance," trainer Bret Calhoun said. "A one-turn mile is a little shorter for him, but he definitely can move forward off that race. He ran a nice race in the Met Mile. He got ran over at the gate a little bit, but he bounced back and trained very well since. I like the good spacing between his races. He'll go an easy half-mile Sunday at Colonial and will arrive at Saratoga Wednesday morning. Hopefully everything goes well between now and then."
