By Steve Sherack
Liberty National (Maxfield), named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' following an impressive maiden victory on the Stars of Tomorrow II program at Churchill Downs Nov. 29, could make his next start in the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds Dec. 20.
A well-beaten sixth on debut for trainer Ken McPeek in a live maiden special weight at Keeneland Oct. 16, the Brookdale Racing, Inc. and Fern Circle Stables colorbearer took to two turns with aplomb at second asking with a 4 1/4-length, come-from-behind decision beneath the Twin Spires, good for an 81 Beyer Speed Figure.
“We're leaning towards the Gun Runner. When I get back from my trip, we'll nail down exact details,” McPeek said from Buenos Aires while attending this weekend's Gran Premio International Carlos Pellegrini.
“He acts like a horse that can go next level.”
Liberty National, a $525,000 Keeneland September yearling produced by an unraced full-sister to GISW Paynter (Awesome Again), is one of four 'Rising Stars' from the first crop of Maxfield. This is also the female family of legendary two-time GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner and leading sire Tiznow. Liberty National was bred in Kentucky by Rock Ridge Thoroughbreds, LLC.
Liberty National stretches out and breaks his maiden at second asking in R7 at @churchilldowns for trainer @kennymcpeek with @b_hernandezjr aboard! 🏇
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/JULpPBaVLA
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) November 29, 2025
“Big, strong serious horse with all the right parts in the right places,” McPeek said. “He's got an aircraft carrier body type. You need those kind of horses to compete at the highest level.”
McPeek, responsible for 2024 GI Kentucky Derby hero Mystik Dan (Goldencents), also has GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. runner-up Universe (Global Campaign) and GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity runner-up and 'Rising Star' Blackout Time (Not This Time) on the road to the Louisville. The latter was a late scratch out of the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
“We've got some horses that are in the pipeline to take us back to the highest mountains,” McPeek said.
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