Exam of Maximum Security Finds No Serious Issues

An exam of Maximum Security diagnosed the 4-year-old colt with minor subchondral bruising and inflammation in all four limbs, but noted all other parameters are normal. 

Co-owner Gary West released a March 21 report conducted by Dr. Larry Bramlage of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington.

Maximum Security was previously in the care of trainer Jason Servis, one of 29 people who were listed in federal indictments announced March 9-11 for doping-related charges. Maximum Security allegedly received a performance-enhancing drug called SGF-1000. He last raced Feb. 29 when he won the inaugural $20 million Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racetrack. 

West announced March 15 he had retained Bramlage to arrange the collection and testing of urine, hair, and blood samples from all of his horses that were trained by Servis, and that Maximum Security would receive an ultrasound and echo-cardiogram of his heart as well as a complete nuclear scintigraphy, or bone scan. 

Bramlage's report determined that Maximum Security showed a grade 1 of 5 lameness in both front legs and both hind legs when jogged in a circle. Grade 1 lameness is difficult to observe and not consistently apparent, according to the American Association of Equine Practitioners. The colt was sound when jogged on a straight line. 

Minor bruising on the distal cannon bones of all four limbs was shown on radiographs of Maximum Security's front feet, all four fetlocks, both carpi, both hocks, and both stifles, but all other radiographs were normal.

The bone scan of Maximum Security's skeleton was said to be normal at all sites with the exception of increased activity in all four fetlock joints. There were no focal hot spots indicating a developing fracture.

The report also says a cardiac exam, including auscultation, echo-cardiogram, electro-cardiogram, and an ultrasound exam of the chest were all normal. It adds that complete blood count and complete serum enzyme and electrolyte profile are all within normal limits for a racehorse.

Bramlage gave Maximum Security a favorable prognosis and said no treatment was needed. West announced March 10 that Maximum Security would be trained by Bob Baffert following a break at Dell Ridge Farm in Lexington.

"I can find nothing seriously wrong with him. If you were not going through him with a detailed exam you would not see any issues," Bramlage wrote in his prognosis. "He is starting to accumulate some subchondral bone inflammation/bruising on all four cannon bones, but that would not be surprising for a horse that has been in serious high level training for 18 months. This is causing no lameness when he is jogged in a straight line, he is perfectly symetrical and fluid in his motion.

"When we make him circle jogging in hand he has a slight lameness both front limbs on the inside limb on the circles, and when the fronts are blocked he shows the same minor lameness in the hind limbs on the circle. 

"The planned break from continuous training is a good plan to let him reverse the accumulating inflammation before he trains on."

Maximum Security's 2019 victories included the Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park, TVG.com Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park, Bold Ruler Handicap (G3) at Belmont Park, and the Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) at Aqueduct Racetrack. He crossed the wire first in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs but was placed 17th by stewards due to interference.

"Since Maximum Security raced in several jurisdictions, it was requested that the laboratory responsible for testing samples in each jurisdiction conduct the blood testing to determine the presence of any prohibited medications to include SFG-1000 during any of Maximum Security's previous races," West said in a statement.

"Additionally, all other horses previously in the care of Jason Servis either have already had samples drawn in the jurisdictions where they are located or will be tested by the Kentucky State veterinarian on  Monday and all official results will be released when they are available."

West bred and co-owns Maximum Security with his wife, Mary. Coolmore connections Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith purchased 50% of the son of New Year's Day in mid-December.