Having been nothing less than spectacular in two prior starts, 'TDN Rising Star' Verifire (Authentic) took his step up to stakes company with aplomb, taking Sunday's closing day Maxfield Stakes at Churchill Downs.
A $1-million OBS March purchase for Resolute Racing after selling for $260,000 at Keeneland the previous September, the son of Authentic debuted with a TDN Rising Star-earning 6 1/4-length victory at Colonial Mar. 15. Pounded down to 1-20 favoritism in his return, he rolled home a 6 1/2-length winner over next out winner Saxton (Mosler) in a Pimlico optional claimer May 16.
Content to watch the race unfold as Smoken Wicked (Bobby's Wicked One) set a brisk pace of :22.36, :44.56, and six panels in 1:08.34 coming off the bend, Verifire pounced on that leader in the lane and the race was over. He cleared his competition to the inside and hit the wire with air to spare. Smoken Wicked held on to second while Captain Cook (Practical Joke) faded to third. His final time was 0.33 off Groupie Doll's 2012 track record of 1:20.44.
“We're very proud of his effort today,” trainer Brad Cox said. “He's a perfect 3-for-3 and the record speaks for itself. He was able to prove his first two races were very legitimate against a solid field this afternoon.”
Stakes placed Ruby Trust, a daughter of Grade III winner Queen of the Catsle (Tale of the Cat), is also responsible for a juvenile colt by Mckinzie and a yearling filly by Olympiad. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
🔥 Verifire wins the Maxfield Overnight in style! @bradcoxracing trains and Flavien Prat was in the saddle.
🎥 TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/mwg9sMs7PY
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) June 29, 2025
MAXFIELD S., $239,665, Churchill Downs, 6-29, 3yo, 7f, 1:20.77, ft.
1–VERIFIRE, 118, c, 3, by Authentic
1st Dam: Ruby Trust (SP, $145,212), by Smart Strike
2nd Dam: Queen Ofthe Catsle, by Tale of the Cat
3rd Dam: Kiawah Queen, by Lord At War (Arg)
($260,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $1,000,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Resolute Racing; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds LTD. (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Flavien Prat. $146,560. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $223,960.
2–Smoken Wicked, 120, c, 3, Bobby's Wicked One–Street Smoke, by Street Boss. ($38,000 Ylg '23 BSLY&M). O-Valene Farms LLC; B-Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson (LA); T-Dallas Stewart. $37,600.
3–Captain Cook, 120, c, 3, Practical Joke–Pow Wow Wow, by Indian Charlie. ($410,000 2yo '24 KEENOV). O-St. Elias Stable; B-Marylou Whitney Stables, LLC (KY); T-Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. $23,800.
Margins: 2 3/4, 1, 4HF. Odds: 2.59, 4.82, 2.95.
Also Ran: Retribution, Speed King, Ancient World, Flood Zone, Kale's Angel, Furio, Max Got Excited, Normandy Coast. Scratched: Dreaminblue, Perfect Force.
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