West to Have Servis-Trained Horses Tested for SGF-1000

Owner Gary West has retained veterinarian Dr. Larry Bramlage to arrange the collection and testing of urine, hair, and blood samples from all of his horses who were trained by Jason Servis, including 3-year-old champion Maximum Security, citing a need for transparency in the aftermath of Servis' federal indictment on doping charges.

"I am not sure how I could possibly be more transparent," said West, who retains a 50% interest in Maximum Security after selling the other half to Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith of Coolmore in December. "No one wants to know the truth more than I do."

In addition, West said he wants Bramlage, a partner with Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, to "immediately perform the most advanced and comprehensive scientific and medical testing of Maximum Security known to man." 

West has also asked Bramlage to release his written report to the public and any government agency that requests it.

"Maximum Security is scheduled to have an ultrasound and ECG of his heart, a complete nuclear scintigraphy (bone scan) of his spine, head to tail, and all four limbs from the ground up this week," West said in a March 15 statement. "He will have digital radiographs of all of his joints and an ultrasound of his chest and lungs. He will also have a complete soundness exam, complete blood counts, serum enzyme and electrolyte profiles, and a complete physical exam. Additionally, Dr. Bramlage is authorized to have any other testing done that he thinks is warranted or useful."

In particular, West wants the roughly 15 horses who were with Servis tested for the presence of SGF-1000, a performance-enhancing drug Servis is alleged to have used in "virtually all of his horses," according to the indictment.

West said samples were taken from Maximum Security before and after his Feb. 29 victory in the Saudi Cup, which awarded the owners $10 million.

"My understanding is the samples were sent to a testing laboratory in Paris, France, which has some of the most stringent testing facilities on Earth," West said. "I am specifically requesting the well-regarded forensic racing regulatory lab in Paris, that already has multiple samples from Maximum Security in their possession, to test for SGF-1000, the substance in question. They have already tested his samples twice in the past, but now that the substance in question is well-known, I am asking them to use any additional test available to assess Maximum Security's samples."

He also asked authorities to test samples from all of Maximum Security's graded stakes races, a group that includes wins in the Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1), TVG.com Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1), Bold Ruler Handicap (G3), and Cigar Mile Handicap (G1). The homebred son of New Year's Day also crossed the finish line first in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) but was disqualified for a bumping incident and placed 17th.

"This is our best contemporary option to assess the status of our horses previously in training with Jason Servis," West said.

Servis and trainer Jorge Navarro were among 27 people indicted March 9 by the United States District Attorney, Southern District of New York, on doping-related charges. Servis is facing a maximum penalty of five years in jail if convicted.

"This is a very serious charge," West said. "It threatens the integrity of Thoroughbred racing, an industry and sport that I have been a part of and have cared deeply about for decades."