Undefeated Verifire the newest stakes winner for Authentic

Verifire turned in a stellar performance in Sunday’s $239,665 Maxfield S. at Churchill Downs, winning going away by three lengths to give the 3-year-old son of Authentic his first stakes win.

Verifire, who won both a maiden and allowance race by over a half-dozen lengths each in his first two starts, was on top of his game once again in Sunday’s seven-furlong race. He broke alertly from post nine and was in the four path while racing in third down the backstretch. Still wide around the turn, he made up ground to be head-to-head for the lead coming into the stretch. He battled with Smoken Wicked for about a furlong, then pulled clear to win decisively in 1:20.77, less than a half-second off the track record.

“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.”

Verifire, who is owned by Resolute Racing, has won $223,960 in his three wins. The chestnut colt was bred by Gainesway Thoroughbreds LTD and sold for $1 million at the 2024 OBS March 2-year-old sale.