Maximum Security Draws Post 5 for Pacific Classic

After making his successful return to the races with trainer Bob Baffert last month, Maximum Security has been entered in the $500,000 TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (G1), the highlight of Del Mar's Aug. 22 program. 

The 4-year-old New Year's Day colt owned by Gary and Mary West and Coolmore associates Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith drew post 5 in the field of six. He is the even-money morning-line favorite. Jockey Abel Cedillo, who guided Maximum Security to victory in the July 25 San Diego Handicap (G2), will be back aboard.

Maximum Security took a spin on Del Mar's fast main track Aug. 16 prior to the Pacific Classic draw. With exercise rider Juan Ochoa up, he worked outside stablemate McKale and edged in front at the wire to complete seven furlongs in 1:25 2/5.

"I'm very happy with the breeze," Baffert said of Maximum Security's work. "He's right on target for the race."

The Pacific Classic, for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/4 miles, is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series qualifier that awards the winner an automatic berth in the Nov. 7 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland.

Hoping to repeat his success in the Pacific Classic a year ago will be defending winner Higher Power. Hronis Racing's 5-year-old son of Medaglia d'Oro  has not won in five starts since his victory a year ago, though he placed in four of those events. He finished third, 6 1/4 lengths behind Maximum Security and Midcourt—who were a nose apart—in the San Diego Handicap last out.

Higher Power drew post 2 and is the 3-1 morning-line second choice. Flavien Prat will ride. 

Trainer John Sadler sent out Higher Power for a six-furlong drill Sunday. Assistant trainer and exercise rider Juan Leyva was up on Higher Power, who worked outside stablemate St. Joe Bay and completed the distance in 1:12 4/5.

"We're quite pleased," Sadler said. "It was a normal kind of last work. Not too fast. Just what you'd want."

C R K Stable's Midcourt, who led nearly every step of the San Diego before nipped by Maximum Security at the wire, was also entered in the Pacific Classic. The 5-year-old Midnight Lute  gelding drew the rail and will be ridden by Victor Espinoza. He is 7-2 on the morning line.

Midcourt is a multiple graded stakes winner in Southern California but is looking for his first top-level win. The John Shirreffs trainee worked five furlongs in 1:02 1/5 Saturday at Del Mar.

Completing the field are Mirinaque, a multiple group 1 winner in Argentina set for his North American debut; multiple graded stakes-placed Dark Vader, the winner of a one-mile allowance optional claimer on the San Diego Handicap undercard; and Sharp Samurai, a multiple graded stakes winner on turf.

Entries: TVG Pacific Classic S. (G1)

Del Mar, Saturday, August 22, 2020, Race 10

• Grade I
• 1 1/4m
• Dirt
• $500,000
• 3 yo's & up
• 6:36 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Midcourt (KY)	Victor Espinoza	124	John A. Shirreffs	7/2
2	2Higher Power (KY)	Flavien Prat	124	John W. Sadler	3/1
3	3Mirinaque (ARG)	Tiago Josue Pereira	124	Maria C. Munoz	10/1
4	4Dark Vader (OH)	UMBERTO RISPOLI	124	Peter Eurton	12/1
5	5Maximum Security (KY)	Abel Cedillo	124	Bob Baffert	1/1
6	6Sharp Samurai (KY)	Juan J. Hernandez	124	Mark Glatt	8/1