Dubai World Cup Also a Possibility for Maximum Security

When The Stronach Group decided to cut $6 million from the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) purse, it wound up boosting the star power of the inaugural $20 million Saudi Cup.

In time, it may help the $12 million Dubai World Cup Presented by Emirates Airline (G1) as well.

Both trainer Jason Servis and owner Gary West said they would be open to running multiple grade 1 winner Maximum Security four weeks later in the Dubai World Cup, should the homebred 3-year-old turn in a winning or strong effort in the Saudi Cup.

"I would think if he wins or runs real good, I guess you stay over there (for the Dubai World Cup). I don't know if you bring him back home right away," Servis said.

West said if Servis believes the son of New Year's Day can run in both the Feb. 29 Saudi Cup at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the March 28 Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, he will be on board with the trainer's decision to target races that offer a combined $32 million.

"If Jason would be open to running in the Dubai World Cup, I'll be open to it. Jason knows the horse better than anyone else. If he believes he would be ready for the Dubai Cup, I would not be opposed to it," West said. "I would completely agree with his thought that once you're there and the horse is doing well, why come home? If the horse is eager for more, he's in that part of the world already, so let's run."

In the days before Maximum Security's Dec. 7 victory in the Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) at Aqueduct Racetrack, Maximum Security seemed a certain starter in the Jan. 25 Pegasus at Gulfstream Park, where he is 4-for-4 with a victory in the Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) at the 1 1/8-mile distance of the Pegasus.

But after TSG, which operates Gulfstream, made a Dec. 15 announcement that it was slashing the Pegasus purse from $9 million to $3 million while dropping entry fees and banning race-day medication, including Lasix, West told BloodHorse it was a "game-changer." He then called an audible and opted for the Saudi Cup with a purse nearly seven times larger than the Pegasus at the same nine-furlong distance, also without Lasix and entry fees.

"I don't know if it was our preference to run in the Saudi Cup, but I'm not mad at The Stronach Group," West said. "It's their racetrack, it's their money, they can do what they want. They can cancel the race if they want. I'm not telling them how to run their business. But as a result of what they did, it presented us with some options and the best option for us is the $20 million race rather than the $3 million race."

Servis is just beginning to formulate travel plans for the colt who will always be remembered for being disqualified from first to 17th in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). He said he has been told Maximum Security's flight to Saudi Arabia is scheduled for 11 days before the race, Feb. 18, and he intends to send his son, Garrett, who has been aboard Maximum Security for morning gallops, and a groom along with the three-time grade 1 winner to the Middle East.

Servis expects to join them in Saudi Arabia after Maximum Security is cleared from two days of quarantine.

"I might drag my feet a few days before leaving because I have a barn in Florida and I like to be on-hand there," said Servis, who does not anticipate bringing over any other horses for the races on the $29.2 million Saudi Cup card. "My son knows what I want and what I like. I feel comfortable with having them over there and then I'll go over."

The 62-year-old trainer said with the flight 11 days before the race, he's mulling different training options since Maximum Security will probably be given a workout in the United States 13 or 14 days before the race. A newcomer to racing in the Middle East, Servis has been speaking with horsemen like Kiaran McLaughlin, who trained in that part of the world for 10 years, to get a better handle on preparing his horse for the race.

"If we breeze here, it will be 13 or 14 days before the race and then when do we give him another one? Maybe five days before the race? Or blow him out the morning of the race? There's a lot we have to work out," he said.

Servis said getting an additional five weeks beyond the Pegasus will help him prepare Maximum Security for the task awaiting him in Saudi Arabia, but he also knows the race presents some unique challenges.

"The extra time should be a good thing for us," Servis said. "The quarantine, going over there 11 days before and scheduling works are things we have to address. It's a one-turn race but if my horse is good that day, I'll lead him over there feeling good. Everything went like it was in a textbook for the Cigar Mile but a lot has to happen here. He's real good at one turn but in this race he'll have to be spot-on."