CNL: Irish Maxima headlines Maggie Walker Stakes * The Racing Biz

CNL: Irish Maxima headlines Maggie Walker Stakes

Multiple graded stakes winner 3-1 on the morning line

Press Release
July 17, 2026

Irish Three Racing’s multiple graded stakes winner Irish Maxima will begin the second half of her 5-year-old season in the $100,000 Maggie L. Walker Stakes on Saturday, July 18, at Colonial Downs where she will face seven older female rivals going one mile on the dirt.

First post is 12:30 p.m. ET for Saturday’s nine-race card. The inaugural Maggie L. Walker Stakes is slated as Race 8.

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*Irish Maxima and Frankie Pennington were all smiles after winning the 2025 Barbara Fritchie. Photo by Jerry Dzierwinski.*

With three wins from four starts this year, Irish Maxima was last seen on May 8 when she wired the field in the Grade 2 Ruffian at Aqueduct. Along with her victory in the 2025 Grade 3 Distaff, also at Aqueduct, the John Servis trainee has five stakes titles and more than $756,000 in career earnings. Jockey Nik Juarez has the mount from Post 5.

With three wins from seven career starts, including the 2025 Tyson Gilpin Stakes, Jr Ranch and MyRacehorse’s Reputation will make her 4-year-old bow in the Walker and her first start for trainer George Weaver. Samuel Marin has the call.

A wildcard contender is Gary Barber’s Mo Fox Givin. Graded stakes-placed on turf as a 2-year-old, the now 5-year-old mare trained by Mark Casse has never raced on dirt in 24 career starts, but she possesses formidable back class and more than $500,000 in career earnings. Horacio Karamanos has the mount.

Here is the complete field for the $100,000 Maggie L. Walker from the rail out with jockey and trainer: