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| Staff Writer |
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Godolphin has been steadily growing its prowess, adding iconic race trophies to Sheikh Mohammed's trophy rooms around the world.
On June 5 Godolphin's Adayar captured the Cazoo Derby, while Essential Quality claimed the prestigious 2021 Belmont Stakes. Three weeks later, Godolphin pulled off another double, capturing the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at The Curragh with Hurricane Lane and the US$600,000 Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs with Maxfield.
The Gr.2 Stephen Foster also provided the 4YO son of Street Sense, whose 4-4 beneath the Twin Spires has been extremely encouraging for Team Godolphin, an expenses-paid berth into the Breeders Cup Classic later this year.
Jimmy Bell, president and racing manager for Godolphin USA, was thrilled by Maxfield's 3 1/4-length victory over Warrior's Charge.
Empty Tomb set the pace in the 1 1/8-mile race with Maxfield in sixth for the first half-mile of the race. He crept up to fifth after took command with three-quarters. With a nod from jockey Jose Ortiz, Maxfield blew past the leaders with a four-wide rally, and Ortiz confidently hand rode him down the stretch, only occasionally tapping him on the shoulder over the final furlong.
Typically a frontrunner, Ten Strike Racing and Madaket Stables' Warrior's Charge was slow into stride and closed from fifth to grab second, two lengths in front of Sprawl, who tired to third.