West Considering Saudi Cup for Maximum Security

In response to The Stronach Group's Dec. 15 announcement to cut a combined $12 million from its purses for the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) and Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T), owner Gary West said it is "very questionable" that his multiple grade 1-winning 3-year-old Maximum Security will run in the Jan. 25 dirt race at Gulfstream Park.

After the purse for the dirt race was cut by two-thirds from $9 million to $3 million, West said he is strongly considering altering his plans for his homebred's 2020 campaign. Before Maximum Security's victory in the Dec. 7 Cigar Mile Handicap (G1), West said he had little interest in shipping his horse overseas. But he is now considering the first running of the $20 million Saudi Cup Feb. 29 at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the colt.

"Cutting the purse to $3 million is an absolute game-changer. I wasn't thinking about the Saudi Cup, but why should I run for $3 million when I can run for $20 million four weeks later? That's a substantial change, and we don't know what we're going to do," West said. "There's now a better than 50/50 chance we'll go to the Saudi race. You don't get a horse like Maximum Security that often, and when you have a chance to be one of the favorites in the richest race in the world, you have to consider it." 

Another possibility for Maximum Security would be the $12 million Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) March 28, especially if Maximum Security runs in the Pegasus.

Aside from the purse reductions, The Stronach Group announced it was banning the use of the race-day medication Lasix, but that will not play a role in West's decision because horses cannot run on Lasix in the first Saudi Cup.

The Pegasus turf race's purse was sliced from $7 million to $1 million.

There will be no entry fees for either Pegasus race.

West said he was "mystified, bewildered, and upset" with the timing of the official announcement, coming just 41 days before the race.

"I am extremely disappointed in The Stronach Group for waiting this long to tell horsemen they are making such a major change in their race," West said. "This is one of the biggest changes in a purse structure in the history of racing, and I think The Stronach Group has handled it very poorly. I don't think it's right at all. That said, I realize it is their track, their race, their money, and they can do anything they want, but if I were in charge, I would have been a lot more transparent and truthful to all the owners and trainers involved."

With a record of four wins in as many starts at Gulfstream Park, including a victory in the Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) at the same 1 1/8-mile distance as the Pegasus, Maximum Security looms as the betting favorite—should he run.

Danny Gargan, who trains multiple graded stakes winner Tax, also said the reduced purse has prompted him to reconsider plans to run the Arch gelding owned by R. A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Hugh Lynch, and Corms Racing Stable in the Pegasus dirt race.

"They changed the game, they changed the rules. He's in Florida and will train like he's going to run in the Pegasus, but I don't know if he will. I'm disappointed in the timing. You don't have people ship in for the race and do this," Gargan said. "I'd rather be fourth for $20 million than third for $3 million. I can't believe they cut the purse like that. I come down here all pumped up about running in the race, and now it feels like a flat tire.

"I was disappointed in the way it was handled. This should have come out two months ago."

The winner of the Saudi Cup will receive $10 million, with $3.5 million for second, $2 million for third, and $1.5 million for fourth.

McKinzie, Midnight Bisou, Tacitus, and Mucho Gusto are among the other top horses whose connections have expressed interest in running in the Saudi Cup.

Rick Porter, owner of Fox Hill Farms' Omaha Beach , said his multiple grade 1-winning 3-year-old is still on track to run in the Pegasus dirt race. It will be his final race before beginning a career as a stallion at Spendthrift Farm.

The Pegasus was launched in 2017 with a $12 million purse for the dirt race and a price tag of $1 million for a starting spot, with the owners of the fifth through 12th finishers getting $250,000. 

The victorious Arrogate  earned $7 million.

After several owners of starters suffered huge financial losses, the structure was changed to a $16 million purse in 2018, again with a $1 million buy-in, though some of the owners said TSG collected no more than $350,000 because each starter was guaranteed $650,000. 

Gun Runner , who won that race, also earned $7 million.

This year, the $7 million turf race was introduced, and the dirt race was cut to a $9 million purse with a $500,000 entry fee.

City of Light  took home $4 million for his victory in the dirt race, and Bricks and Mortar earned $2,656,250 for winning the initial turf race.