Oh how the tables turned.
C R K's Stable's Englishman, the runner-up to Crude Velocity in the Pat Day Mile (G2) at Churchill Downs five weeks ago, made short work of that rival and seven other 3-year-olds at Saratoga Race Course in the June 6 Woody Stephens Stakes (G1).
To boot, the son of Maxfield tied the seven-furlong track record, 1:20.40, set in 1978 by Darby Creek Road in an allowance race. To further put an exclamation mark on Englishman's victory, the stunning bay colt won the race by 5 3/4 lengths.
Englishman, trained by Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Cherie DeVaux, received the perfect trip under his regular partner, Jose Ortiz. They stalked the pace of Solitude Dude through fractions of :21.98 and :43.97 over a track that had been playing glibly, both Saturday and Friday.
As the field turned for home in the $500,000 race, Englishman dispatched of Solitude Dude, but Crude Velocity, the 4-5 favorite under Florent Geroux, was launching his move. The notion, however, that the previously unbeaten colt would offer a serious challenge to Englishman was swiftly put to rest as the latter lengthened his advantage while with every stride.
"Last time, I had the number 1 hole, so I had to (have my foot on the gas pedal) every step of the way and (Crude Velocity) beat me," Ortiz Jr. Today, with a better position, I was going to run at my pace, and when I asked him to go, he was there for me."
DeVaux expressed confidence earlier in the week that her colt who she trains for Lee and Susan Searing would benefit from cutting back in distance from the mile to seven furlongs.
"I do believe in the right situation and set-up, we could run a mile. I think he's most effective at this distance, but in his last race, he just never got a chance to breathe," she said. "I think that was what really made the difference today."
Englishman returned $10.56 as the second choice at 4-1.
The Kentucky-bred owns a record of 3-1-0 in four career starts with earnings of $519,500.
Englishman is Maxfield's first graded stakes winner. The son of Street Sense stands at Darley near Lexington. His 2026 fee was $50,000.
Englishman is the first graded stakes winner for his dam, In It for the Gold. The mare is owned by County Life Farm as part of a small breeding partnership after they bought the daughter of Speightstown for $75,000 at the 2023 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale while in foal to Authentic out of the Indian Creek consignment.
Englishman, who was bred by Fifth Avenue Bloodstock, was bought at the same sale as a weanling by Avocet Bloodstock for $240,000. He sold again at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $400,000 with Mayberry Farm signing the ticket.
Mike Pons who owns the Maryland-based Country Life Farm with his brother, Josh, was on hand at Saratoga for Englishman's win. Pons said In It for the Gold would likely be sold at Fasig-Tipton's Night of the Stars in November while in foal to Into Mischief. In March, she delivered a colt by Tiz the Law.
"This is a thrill," Mike Pons said. "The little man can play a big man's game. It's beautiful. She'll probably go into the Night of the Stars sale with her baby in the fall. That could be a huge play for us. We don't get too many chances to hit one out of the park."
An Englishman in New York 🗽
ENGLISHMAN earns his first stakes win in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens Stakes pres. by @MoheganSun under @jose93_ortiz for trainer @reredevaux. pic.twitter.com/rBTwW0UD79
