Maximum Security Wins by a Nose in San Diego Return

Whether he is conditioned by tarnished trainer Jason Servis or by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, Maximum Security just keeps winning.

Racing July 25 in the $150,000 San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar, his first start for Baffert, who began training him this spring after Servis was indicted on doping-related charges, last year's champion 3-year-old male prevailed by a nose over Midcourt. The victory was his ninth in 11 starts, a record that includes victories at 3 in the Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1), TVG.com Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1), and Cigar Mile Handicap (G1).

He also won the Feb. 29 Saudi Cup in his previous start, though the $20 million purse is on hold pending an investigation by The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia after the indictment of Servis.

Maximum Security had to work for every dollar of the $90,000 first-place check in the San Diego. Though he held the lead entering the first of two turns in the 1 1/16 mile race, that advantage was short-lived when Midcourt, under an aggressive ride from Victor Espinoza, urged him forward. 

Seeking to avoid a speed duel, Abel Cedillo on Maximum Security eased his mount back, only to find Flavien Prat on Higher Power hustling to secure position. Suddenly, Maximum Security was in third early on the backstretch.

Taken to the outside at that point as Midcourt set the tempo with splits of :23.74, :46.87, and 1:11.40, Maximum Security came under increased urging from Cedillo, but the colt responded, gradually passing Higher Power and cutting into Midcourt's lead. He collared the frontrunner in midstretch and maintained a slight edge to the wire as Midcourt refused to give way.

"When we turned for home I had to get to work," Cedillo said. "I knew I was going to do that. He's the kind of horse you have to ride all the way. You have to keep working on him. We got it done. I thought I'd won the photo, but you can never be sure about those things. But it came out right."

The 4-year-old son of New Year's Day finished in 1:44.54, paying $2.80 as the favorite. 

The victory was one of three on the day for Cedillo, who also won the fourth race with Secret Keeper and the co-featured San Clemente Stakes (G2T) on Laura's Light.

Higher Power ran third, 6 1/4 lengths behind the top pair, and was followed by Ax Man and Combatant in the field of five. The latter hopped in the air at the start and never threatened following his tardy break.

Sharp Samurai was scratched in favor of running in the July 26 Eddie Read Stakes (G2T) at Del Mar.

Maximum Security is owned by his breeders, Gary and Mary West, along with Coolmore Stud-affiliated Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith. Coolmore purchased 50% of the colt in mid-December.

Under the race's handicap weight assignments, he carried 127 pounds, spotting his rivals five to nine pounds. He was one of three grade 1 winners in the field, along with Higher Power and Combatant. 

The San Diego is regularly used as the prep for Del Mar's TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (G1), a $500,000 race Aug. 22.

The victory was the second in the San Diego for Baffert following Fed Biz  in 2014. He has won the Pacific Classic five times, most recently in 2017 with Collected . According to Del Mar publicity, he now has 134 stakes wins at the seaside track, easily most by a trainer in track history.

"That was crazy," Baffert said of the San Diego. "I knew I didn't have him really drummed up for this race, we were going to use this to get ready for the next one. But we're learning about the horse. He won today when he had every reason to get beat. He showed what a great horse he is today. He's such a fighter. I'm glad we got this over with and now he's in good shape."

Bred in Kentucky, Maximum Security is one of three winners and the lone stakes winner from his dam, the Anasheed mare Lil Indy. She also has a yearling filly by New Year's Day and foaled a Quality Road  colt this year.

The Wests and Baffert raced New Year's Day, the winner of the 2013 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1).

Video: San Diego H. (G2)