Maximum Security Likely for Pacific Classic

Following an all-out effort for a nose victory in the July 25 San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar, Maximum Security was "good" Sunday morning, trainer Bob Baffert reported.

"I actually thought he was pretty good right after the race being that I only had him about 80%," Baffert said of the colt owned by Gary and Mary West, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith. "I didn't think he'd have to do a stop-and-go movement (during the race), but he showed what a great horse he is."

Making his first start for Baffert, first start in five months, and his first race with jockey Abel Cedillo, Maximum Security vied with Midcourt for the lead, dropped back to third, then rallied to prevail by a nose over the pacesetter.

"It's a good starting point," Baffert said. "We learned a lot about the horse. Now we're caught up and he's ready to go."

Rather than "go," however, Baffert's inclination is to "stay" at Del Mar for the Aug. 22 TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (G1), even though there figures to be pressures, subtle and unsubtle, to exercise other options. The Woodward Handicap (G1) at Saratoga Race Course has the same $500,000 purse as the Pacific Classic, and both races are run at 1 1/4 miles. But the Woodward is two weeks later on the calendar. 

"The Pacific Classic or the Woodward, depending … but I like the Pacific Classic," Baffert said. "He brings his racetrack with him. He's got a lot of will to win, he's courageous, and a smart horse. There's just something about him. He's got a lot of will to win. He's got a lot of W's by his name, and there's a reason for that."

John Shirreffs, the trainer of C R K Stable's Midcourt, said his 5-year-old gelding showed no ill effects from a game try.

"We are, of course, very proud of his race," Shirreffs said. "It was a flip of a coin who would hit the wire with his head down."

There are no immediate plans regarding Midcourt's next race.

Baffert Horses Prepare for Upcoming Starts

A surprising development Sunday while post positions were drawn and fields set for Del Mar's Aug. 1 card was the entry of Karl Watson, Mike Pegram, and Paul Weitman's McKinzie in the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1).

Baffert watched McKinzie zip through a five-furlong work in 1:00 4/5 Sunday morning before entering the 5-year-old son of Street Sense  in the six-furlong event.

McKinzie, with graded stakes wins from seven furlongs to 1 1/8 miles on his record, will be tasked at the shortest distance of his career. 

Baffert doesn't expect the shorter distance to be a problem.

"He's got speed. All good horses have speed," Baffert said. "The only good horse of mine that couldn't run short was Real Quiet."

Real Quiet won the 1998 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) and fell a nose short in the Belmont Stakes (G1).

Baffert dispatched Los Alamitos Derby (G3) winner Uncle Chuck, Eight Rings, and several other stable standouts for exercises Sunday morning in preparation for major upcoming assignments.

Watson, Pegram, and Weitman's Uncle Chuck went six furlongs in 1:12 1/5. Del Mar clocker Toby Turrell caught splits of :12 1/5, :47 4/5, and :59 4/5 with a gallop out to 1:26 for the solo work under Juan Ochoa. Uncle Chuck is entered and drew the rail for the Aug. 1 Shared Belief Stakes.

SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Fred Hertrich III, John Fielding, Golconda Stables, and Coolmore Stud's Eight Rings covered five furlongs in :59 1/5, tied with several others for fastest of 55 at the distance. Last year's American Pharoah Stakes (G1) winner is preparing for the second start of his 3-year-old campaign following a fifth-place effort as the favorite in the April 25 Bachelor Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

Michael Lund Petersen's Longines Acorn Stakes (G1) winner Gamine, who has been mentioned as a candidate for the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) or Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), went six furlongs in 1:12 3/5 for a possible start in the Aug. 8 Longines Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.

The Wests' Fighting Mad, the winner of the May 31 Santa Maria Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park, covered five furlongs in :59 2/5 preparing for the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1) Aug. 2 at Del Mar.

"She likes this track, and she's been working great," Baffert said.