Maximum Security on Path to Florida Derby

Considering he started his career Dec. 20 in a $16,000 maiden claimer, Maximum Security has already exceeded initial expectations by a wide margin.

Not only is the homebred 3-year-old undefeated in three starts, but his eye-opening 18 1/4-length romp Feb. 20 in a starter optional-claiming race at Gulfstream Park gave him a combined winning margin of 34 1/2 lengths in his trio of races at the south Florida track.

Now Maximum Security seems headed for one of the sport's biggest challenges.

Trainer Jason Servis and owner Gary West both say Maximum Security is on course to make his next start March 30 in the $1 million Xpressbet.com Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream, Florida's premier prep for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) that has produced three of the last six winners of the Run for the Roses.

"He's got three good races under his belt, some experience, and the timing for the Florida Derby from yesterday's race is real good. He's 3-for-3 at Gulfstream, so even if they were offering $3 million somewhere else, why should I go somewhere else?" Servis said.  

Impressive was just one of many words that can be attached to Maximum Security's last race, as he covered seven furlongs in 1:21.72 under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. and earned an Equibase Speed Figure of 109.

"I thought he'd run big. Let's face it, he towered over those horses, and you won't know for sure until he hooks a good horse, so we'll see what happens next," Servis said.

In his debut against claimers for Gary and Mary West, who also own current Kentucky Derby favorite Game Winner, Maximum Security won by 9 3/4 lengths and then prevailed by 6 1/2 lengths in a starter optional claimer Jan. 24.

"Maximum Security ran a fast time under wraps yesterday, and if he trains well, he deserves a shot at the Florida Derby," West said.

A son of the Wests' 2013 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner New Year's Day, Maximum Security has yet to race beyond seven furlongs, but Servis believes the stretch out to two turns in the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby will not be a major problem.

"I think he'll handle the extra distance, and we should have a fresh horse heading into the Florida Derby," he said. "He seems to be peaking at the right time. We were lucky we didn't lose him after the first race, and then, while we considered the (March 2) Fountain of Youth (G2), we decided to take baby steps with him."

Maximum Security was ridden in his first two races by apprentice Romero Maragh, who is recovering from a spinal injury suffered in a Jan. 31 spill. Ortiz stepped in for the colt's third start, and Servis chuckled at the margin of victory.

"When Romero won the first race with Maximum Security by 9 3/4 lengths, I scolded him for winning by so much," Servis said. "After this last race, I texted him and told him maybe it wasn't his fault. This horse is pretty good."