Maximum Offer Relishes Stakes in Indiana Oaks

There was no catching Maximum Offer in the $200,000 Indiana Oaks (G3) July 11 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The Kenny McPeek trainee broke alertly from the gate and cleared the field under Luis Saez in the 1 1/16-mile test for 3-year-old fillies. She maintained her lead throughout, opening up through the stretch to win by 2 1/2 lengths over Betty's Pearl. Nahla ran third, and completing the five-horse order of finish were favored Prom Queen and Star Actress. The winner was clocked in 1:42.65 over a fast track after posting fractions of :24.74, :48.95, 1:12.44, and 1:36.17. The 3-year-old daughter of Maxfield notched her first stakes victory, and paid $13 for a $2 win ticket. "She broke well and took the lead easy; I felt like I had the horse to fight anyone off," Saez said. "She came into the stretch a pretty fresh filly." Maximum Offer is 3-0-1 in eight starts with earnings of $311,097 for owners Baccari Racing Stable, Alfred Riccio, and Robert Cotrone. She rebounded in the Indiana Oaks after finishing last of five in the June 5 Acorn Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. Prom Queen was 6 1/4 lengths ahead of her in fourth place that afternoon, but could not keep up with Maximum Offer Saturday. Maximum Offer was a $170,000 purchase by McPeek from the Bedouin Bloodstock Consignment at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Maxfield stood at Darley this year for a $50,000 fee.