Englishman Swept at Saratoga and Gave Maxfield His First G1 Winner

The colt demolished Crude Velocity in the Woody Stephens Stakes (G1), equaled the track record for 1400 meters, and transformed into the first graded stakes winner for the stallion that stood for two seasons at Haras Firmamento

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special to Turf Diario).– Just five weeks after losing his unbeaten record to Crude Velocity (Beau Liam) in the Pat Day Mile Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs, Englishman took a resounding revenge. As resounding as it was historic.

The son of Maxfield not only crushed his Derby Day executioner in the Woody Stephens Stakes (G1), but he also equaled the track record for 1400 meters at Saratoga by stopping the clocks in 1m20s40/100, a mark established by Darby Creek Road (Roberot) in 1978.

Trained by Cherie DeVaux and ridden by José Ortiz, the dark bay dominated a high-level field by 5 3/4 lengths and became the first graded stakes winner for Maxfield, a piece of news that carries special interest for Argentine breeding.

The son of Street Sense stood for two seasons at Haras Firmamento, and his first crop born in Argentina is currently being marketed during this year's auction season. Furthermore, all the colts that will integrate the first crop of Firmamento Racing, the innovative ownership syndicate recently launched by Juan Carlos Bagó's nursery, are precisely sons of Maxfield.

For this reason, Englishman's achievement had an immediate echo on this side of the continent.

At Saratoga, the trip turned out ideal for the winner. Ortiz was able to position him tracking closely the pace set by Solitude Dude (Yaupon), with fractions of 21s98/100 and 43s97/100 for the first 800 meters.

Turning for home, Englishman quickly left the pacesetter behind and seemed to immediately encounter his main rival when Crude Velocity launched his bid down the center of the track. However, the illusion of a new battle lasted only a few moments.

The winner accelerated with devastating authority and widened his advantage with every stride until crossing the wire completely isolated.

"Last time I had to break from post 1 and run under pressure during the whole trip; that was how Crude Velocity beat me," Ortiz explained. "This time I was able to settle better and run at my rhythm. When I asked him to accelerate, he responded immediately."

DeVaux had already anticipated during the week that the turnback in distance, from the mile to 1400 meters, could prove decisive.

"I think he can run a mile under certain circumstances, but this is probably his ideal distance. At Churchill he never had the opportunity to relax and breathe during the trip. That was the big difference," the trainer analyzed.

Acquired by Mayberry Farm for $400,000 during the 2024 Keeneland yearling sale, Englishman elevated his record to three victories from four starts, and his earnings surpassed $519,000.

His success also signified the first graded stakes winner for his dam, In It for the Gold (Speightstown), a mare acquired for just $75,000 by a small breeding partnership linked to Country Life Farm.

While Englishman wrote his own chapter at Saratoga, on the other side of the map, Argentine breeders were surely taking note.

After all, if Maxfield's first graded stakes winner could run in this fashion, the expectations for what his crops born at Firmamento can show do nothing but grow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX034VDScj4