Churchill Downs Press Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky.— Mark Davis’ Southern California invader Raging Torrent broke fast from the gate and turned back late challenges from Otto the Conqueror and World Record to determinedly win Sunday’s third running of the $173,700 Maxfield Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs by 2 ¼ lengths.
Breaking from the outside post in a compact field of five 3-year-olds, Raging Torrent set fractions of :22.37, :44.65 and 1:09.22 before stopping the teletimer in 1:22.04 over a “good” track with Antonio Fresu up for trainer Doug O’Neill.
“He’s a very fast horse and around the far turn I was able to let him relax a little bit,” Fresu said. “At the quarter-pole, I was able to ask him again and he really fought hard the entire stretch to not let another horse by.”
Previously, Raging Torrent won a first-level allowance at Churchill Downs by 8 ¼ lengths in the seven-furlong race immediately after the Kentucky Derby. He shipped back to Kentucky from his Santa Anita base to score his first stakes victory Sunday.
“It’s just a beautiful day being able to win a stakes race at Churchill Downs,” O’Neill said. “On Derby Day, Antonio Fresu said that the track was a little quicker than it was today. In today’s race Antonio was able to give him a nice mid-race breather and I think that really made the difference. He’s very versatile whether it be dirt or turf.”
Raging Torrent, the even-money favorite, paid $4.16, $2.90 and $2.24. Otto the Conqueror, who surged late for second as the 3-1 third betting choice with Tyler Gaffalione in the saddle, returned $4.02 and $2.50. World Record, at 5-2 with Flavien Prat up, was another half-length back in third and paid $2.34. Carbone was fourth and Hold My Bourbon was fifth. Lucky Jeremy and This Is Uscar were scratched.
Raging Torrent, a son of Maximus Mischief out of the Violence mare Violent Wave, improved his record to 3-1-2 in nine starts. The $107,200 first prize boosted his career earnings to $317,400. He was bred in Kentucky by Rodney J. Winkler and Alfonso Mazzetti.
The Maxfield Stakes is named in honor of Godolphin’s eight-time winning horse. Maxfield was a two-time Grade I winner and won his career finale in last year’s $750,000 Clark presented by Norton Healthcare (GI) at Churchill Downs.
