Expert Pick of the Week: Whitney Stakes

Aug 05, 2021 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

A stellar field of five of the top handicap horses in training will contest the historic $1 million Whitney S. (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday. The first-place finisher of the “Win and You’re In” challenge series event will earn an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar on November 6.

Godolphin homebred Maxfield has aced all but one of his career tests in preparation of his Saratoga debut. The brilliant four-year-old has been sterling in his last two races, posting convincing tallies in both the Alysheba S. (G2) and Stephen Foster S. (G2) as of late. He is the Expert Pick of the Week.

Trained by Brendan Walsh, the Street Sense colt went 2-for-2 as a juvenile, led by a dominant tally in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland. He was also triumphant in each of his pair of outings as a sophomore, but 2021 has seen the Kentucky-bred really elevate his game.

The dark bay has been more forwardly placed in his races as he has matured, and he still possesses a robust late kick that makes him so tough to beat when he is at his best. Maxfield receives a dream post outside of his four rivals for the nine-furlong Whitney, which will allow pilot Jose Ortiz to track the tempo while always clear on Saturday.

I expect the early pace to be swift, and potentially contested between morning-line choice Knicks Go and superstar filly Swiss Skydiver, who will both be sent from the break. If Maxfield, who has posted a trio of drills in the Empire State recently, can keep in touch on the backside, then he will run down his foes inside the final furlong to make his Spa debut a winning one. 

A victory on Saturday would give the standout colt the inside track to earning Horse of the Year Honors, too.

By My Standards is the biggest price in the field, but he was a strong runner-up in the event last season and looms as a major danger once again for conditioner Bret Calhoun. The Goldencents five-year-old has a fine draw on the rail, and the Kentucky-bred had an ideal prep for Saturday when second best in the deep Met Mile S. (G1) at Belmont Park most recently, as well. I envision the bay saving ground to the top of the stretch before being asked for his best under Gabe Saez.

An exacta with Maxfield on top of By My Standards in the Whitney Stakes is the Best Bet of the Week.