Deep Flame Becomes Into Mischief's 100th Graded Stakes Winner

We knew he was fast, and he more than justified the betting public's faith in his graded stakes debut. Juddmonte's Deep Flame (Into Mischief) could not be caught in the lane, striding home under little pressure to claim his first black-type victory in the GIII Maxfield Stakes on closing day at Churchill Downs.

Deep Flame debuted Feb. 14 at Fair Grounds and ran second to eventual stakes winner Trouble Calling (Dialed In). He returned Apr. 4 at Keeneland to post another runner-up effort, this time Gilded Bandit (Charlatan), who would next be seen running fourth in the GI Woody Stephens Stakes. It proved to be a case of third-time lucky May 17 when Deep Flame sailed home much the best against maiden company at this venue, and earned a 95 Beyer for his efforts.

Breaking well but outfooted to the lead, the 6-5 favorite was content to stalk the early pace as Prize Pick (Tiz the Law) posted opening fractions of :22.40 and a half-mile in :44.77. Deep Flame was never far away from the front as 'TDN Rising Star, presented Hagyard' Brant (Gun Runner) kept him company going into the turn. Asked to take over the lead as they swung for home, the Brad Cox-trainee immediately put several lengths on his competition once they straightened out and the race was more or less over by midstretch.

American Man (Maclean's Music) closed well for second and Igniter (Volatile), who was in another zip code after the break, overhauled Brant for third. The final time was 1:21.43.

Deep Flame's success here also marks a historic triumph for Into Mischief, as this victor officially becomes the stallion's 100th graded stakes winner.

“It's been a great year, and I'm really happy to finish the meet with a nice horse like this one,” said Irad Ortiz Jr., the leading rider at Churchill's Spring Meet in 2026. “I love being here in Kentucky and riding horses like him. He did everything professionally today and impressed me once again.”

“He came into this race with a good foundation being his fourth career start,” said Cox. “We felt like the timing was right to stretch him out to seven furlongs. There's a long year ahead with a lot of big opportunities left. After the way he breezed last time, we were confident he was going to run a big race today.”

Deep Flame wins the Maxfield Stakes (GIII) with Irad Ortiz aboard!🔥 pic.twitter.com/r2NJfmbne0

— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) June 28, 2026

Pedigree Note:

Deep Flame is the first black-type runner for his dam, a half-sister to a small army of stakes winners and stakes producers, and is also the 100th graded stakes winner for his sire, Into Mischief.

On his female side, Deep Flame is the fifth offspring for Barbadia to get his picture taken and her most recent to the races. His youngest siblings are a yearling filly by Kingman (GB) and a 2026 half-brother by Constitution. Of his older sisters, Fox Cove (First Defence) become a winner producer while his full-sister Patna has a juvenile named Lake Martin (Twirling Candy) in the wings.

Barbadia is a daughter of Willstar (Nureyev), making her a half-sibling to French Group 1 winner Etoile Montante (Miswaki). That mare went on to a remarkable broodmare career that saw her produce a branch of the family that yielded her most accomplished daughter, MGSW Starformer (Dynasty), and later MSW & GSP Flavius (War Front) and MGSP Oyster Box (Tapit) as their granddam. Barbadia's half-sisters also include SW Uno Duo (Macho Uno), best known for her daughter GISW Obligatory (Curlin) and as the granddam of MGISP Ferocious (Flatter) through another daughter.

The female line is accomplished overseas with Group winner and Group 1-placed Red Letter (GB) (Frankel {GB}); Group winner Glaswegian (GB); and GSP-Ire Exodus (GB) all hailing from it. Domestically, MGSW & MGISP Bonny South (Munnings), multiple Group/Grade I winner Country Grammar (Tonalist), and his half-sister SW & MGSP Joyful Cadence (Runhappy) all trace back to this second dam.

Sunday, Churchill Downs
MAXFIELD S.-GIII, $250,000, Churchill Downs, 6-28, 3yo, 7f, 1:21.43, ft.
1–DEEP FLAME, 118, c, 3, by Into Mischief
              1st Dam: Barbadia, by Speightstown
              2nd Dam: Willstar, by Nureyev
              3rd Dam: Nijinsky Star, by Nijinsky II
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-Juddmonte (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. $152,760. Lifetime Record: 4-2-2-0, $255,156. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–American Man, 118, c, 3, Maclean's Music–American Doll, by Tiznow. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($120,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $475,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR). O-Gervais Racing LLC; B-Woods Edge Farm, LLC (KY); T-Dallas Stewart. $49,600.
3–Igniter, 120, c, 3, Volatile–Malibu Prayer, by Malibu Moon. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (Goncalo B. Torrealba) (KY); T-Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. $24,800.
Margins: 5 3/4, 1, 1HF. Odds: 1.25, 9.24, 7.31.
Also Ran: Brant, Prize Pick, Oscar's Hope. Scratched: Crown the Buckeye, Spun D M C.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.