Maximum Security (horse)
Maximum Security | |
---|---|
Sire | Pacific Classic (2020) |
Awards | |
American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse (2019) |
Maximum Security (foaled May 14, 2016) is a champion American
As a four-year-old in 2020, he won the inaugural running of the
Background
Maximum Security is a bay colt who was bred in Kentucky by Gary and Mary West, for whom he races as a homebred.[2] He was sired by New Year's Day, who won the 2014 Breeders' Cup Juvenile for the Wests. As a sire New Year's Day was considered a disappointment and was sold in late 2018 to a Brazilian syndicate for a reported $5 million: Maximum Security subsequently became his first graded stakes winner.[4] Maximum Security's dam Lil Indy, by Anasheed, is a half-sister to multiple Grade I winner Flat Out.[5]
Maximum Security was originally trained by Jason Servis, known for his high winning percentage. Servis credited his success to unconventional training methods with a focus on slow, regular gallops with brief bursts of speed at the end, compared to the faster but less frequent workouts by most other trainers.[6] After Servis was indicted in March 2020 for doping related allegations, Maximum Security was moved to the barn of Bob Baffert.[7]
Racing career
Maximum Security had "unspecified physical issues" as a two-year-old and did not make his first start until December 20, 2018 in a maiden claiming race.[8] He won in commanding fashion by 9+3⁄4 lengths. In that race, he could have been claimed for $16,000, but fortunately for the Wests was not.[9]
Three-year-old season
Maximum Security began his three-year-old campaign by winning two starter optional claiming races at Gulfstream Park in early 2019, both of them over sprint distances, by a combined distance of 24+3⁄4 lengths. He was then stepped up in both class and distance when entered in the Grade I Florida Derby at a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles on March 30. Maximum Security went to the early lead and set a reasonable pace, trailed by longshot Bodexpress. He was never challenged and won by 3+1⁄2 lengths, with favorites Hidden Scroll and Code of Honor well back. Maximum Security earned 100 points on the 2019 Road to the Kentucky Derby, instantly qualifying him for the Kentucky Derby.[8]
Kentucky Derby
In the Kentucky Derby, Maximum Security set the pace of the race. Going around the far turn, Maximum Security swerved out from the rail while still on the lead, impeding the progress of several other horses. While Maximum Security regained his momentum and crossed the finish line first, he was disqualified to 17th place after 20 minutes of deliberation by the stewards. Second-place Country House, who went off at odds of 65–1, was awarded first.[10] Maximum Security was the first horse to cross the finish line first in the Kentucky Derby only to be disqualified for an on-track infraction. The only other winner to be disqualified in the Kentucky Derby up until that point in time had been Dancer's Image, who was disqualified in 1968 for a drug infraction.[11]
The disqualification was controversial, especially in the Derby which is often a roughly run race due to the large field. Jockey Luis Saez said the horse had shied away from the noise of the infield crowd, but was immediately brought under control. Maximum Security did not materially affect Country House, who was awarded the victory. However, his swerve did affect several other horses and could have caused a major accident if he had clipped heels with another horse.[12] Saez was subsequently suspended for 15 days for "failure to control his mount".[13]
On May 14, 2019, the owners of Maximum Security sued in U.S. District Court in Frankfort, Kentucky, seeking to reinstate the win and distribute purse money based on the actual order of finish.[14] On June 8, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission filed a motion requesting dismissal of the lawsuit, stating that it "threatens to turn the 'most exciting two minutes in sports' into tedious, protracted litigation."[15] In November 2019, the lawsuit was dismissed, citing "the stewards’ decision in determining fouls and disqualifications of horses is final and not subject to appeal".[16]
Post-Derby races
Maximum Security's owners chose not to enter him in the
On July 20, Maximum Security was entered in the
The win moved Maximum Security back into contention for champion three-year-old honors.[20] However, he missed a planned start in the Travers Stakes because he was not training up to expectations. "I don't like where he's at," said Servis on August 15. "He's not eating the way I want him to eat, and he's not carrying the weight I'd like to see him carry."[21]
He was next entered in the Pennsylvania Derby, but was scratched 5 days before the race due to a large colon nephrosplenic entrapment. He was rushed to the Mid-Atlantic Equine Clinic where he was diagnosed with colic. "He just got his [colon] displaced tightly enough that it was extremely painful," said Gasiorowski. "He was sent to our clinic immediately and we managed to get him to correct without doing surgery."[22]
His connections gave him time to recover, and ruled out his participation in the
Maximum Security finished his three-year-old campaign by winning the Cigar Mile Handicap on December 7 at Aqueduct Racetrack as the 6-5 favorite. His main rival was considered to be Spun to Run, who had won the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. Maximum Security went to the early lead and was soon joined by Spun to Run. The two raced together for the first three-quarters of a mile until Maximum Security started to pull away at the head of the stretch. He won by 3+1⁄2 lengths in a time of 1:36.46.[24]
Gary West told
Maximum Security was named the
Four-year-old season
On January 1, 2020, it was announced that Coolmore Stud had purchased a 50% share in Maximum Security.[27]
Maximum Security was shipped to Saudi Arabia in February 2020 for the inaugural $20 million
After Servis was indicted in March for doping allegations, Maximum Security was transferred to the barn of Bob Baffert. He was given an extensive exam that revealed some minor lameness but no serious long-term damage.[31] He was given a layoff to recover and also to ensure that any drugs were cleared from his system, then resumed galloping on April 29.[32]
He made his first start for Baffert in the
His next start was the Pacific Classic Stakes at Del Mar Racetrack, where he was the 2-5 favorite in a field of six that included Higher Power, who had won the race in 2019, and multiple graded stakes winners Midcourt and Sharp Samurai. Maximum Security broke sharply and set a moderate pace of :23.93 for the first quarter-mile and :47.98 for the half. When Sharp Samurai and Higher Power tried to challenge him on the final turn, he responded. Nearing the quarter pole he began to edge away from Sharp Samurai, and won going away by 1+1⁄2 lengths. This gave him an automatic berth into the Breeders' Cup Classic.[34]
On September 26, he raced in the 2020
In the Breeders' Cup Classic on November 7 in Keeneland he was one of the favorites, but he lost ground in the last corner and finished fifth. His stablemates Authentic and Improbable finished 1st and 2nd.
Racing statistics
Date | Race | Racecourse | Grade | Distance | Finish | Margin | Time | Weight | Odds | Jockey | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dec 20, 2018 | Maiden | Gulfstream Park | 6+1⁄2 Furlongs | 1 | 9+3⁄4 Lengths | 1:16.84 | 115 lbs | 2.70 | Romero Maragh | ||
Jan 24, 2019 | Allowance | Gulfstream Park | 6 Furlongs | 1 | 6+1⁄2 Lengths | 1:09.93 | 115 lbs | 0.30* | Romero Maragh | ||
Feb 20, 2019 | Allowance | Gulfstream Park | 7 Furlongs | 1 | 18+1⁄4 Lengths | 1:21.72 | 124 lbs | 0.10* | Irad Ortiz Jr. | ||
Mar 30, 2019 | Florida Derby | Gulfstream Park | I | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1 | 3+1⁄2 Lengths | 1:48.86 | 122 lbs | 4.80 | Luis Saez | |
May 4, 2019 | Kentucky Derby | Churchill Downs | I | 1+1⁄4 miles | 1 (disqualified to 17th) | 1+3⁄4 Lengths | 2:03.93 | 126 lbs | 4.50 | Luis Saez | |
Jun 16, 2019 | Pegasus Stakes | Monmouth Park | I | 1+1⁄16 mile | 2 | (1 Length) | 1:42.59 | 123 lbs | 0.05* | Luis Saez | |
Jul 20, 2019 | Haskell Invitational Stakes
|
Monmouth Park | I | 1+1⁄8 mile | 1 | 1+1⁄4 Lengths | 1:47.56 | 120 lbs | 0.80* | Luis Saez | |
Oct 26, 2019 | Bold Ruler Handicap
|
Belmont Park | I | 7 Furlongs | 1 | 1+3⁄4 Lengths | 1:20.76 | 121 lbs | 0.60* | Luis Saez | |
Dec 7, 2019 | Cigar Mile Handicap | Aqueduct Racetrack | I | 1 mile | 1 | 3+1⁄2 Lengths | 1:36.46 | 122 lbs | 1.30* | Luis Saez | |
Feb 29, 2020 | Saudi Cup | King Abdulaziz Racetrack | N/A | 1,800 meters | 1 | 1⁄2 Length | 1:50.59 | 126 lbs | 5/2* | Luis Saez | |
Jul 25, 2020 | San Diego Handicap | Santa Anita Park | II | 1+1⁄16 mile | 1 | Nose | 1:44.54 | 127 lbs | 0.40* | Abel Cedillo | |
Aug 22, 2020 | Pacific Classic Stakes | Del Mar Racetrack
|
I | 1+1⁄4 mile | 1 | 3 Lengths | 2:01.24 | 124 lbs | 0.40* | Abel Cedillo | |
Sep 26, 2020 | Awesome Again Stakes | Santa Anita Park | I | 1+1⁄8 mile | 2 | (4+1⁄2 Lengths) | 1:49.01 | 126 lbs | 1.80 | Luis Saez | |
Nov 7, 2020 | Breeders' Cup Classic | Keeneland | I | 1+1⁄4 mile | 5 | (5+1⁄4 Lengths) | 1:59.60 | 126 lbs | 4.40 | Luis Saez |
Doping allegations
Maximum Security was specifically named as one of the horses that had been administered
Because of the charges, some industry leaders questioned whether Maximum Security should be stripped of the Eclipse Award he won as a three-year-old, especially if subsequent testing revealed previously undetected drug positives.[36] The owners of Midnight Bisou (second to Maximum Security in the Saudi Cup) called for his disqualification from that race.[37] Following Servis' guilty plea in December 2022, owner Gary West released a statement saying that he would support a disqualification of Maximum Security from his Saudi Cup victory by racing officials in Saudi Arabia, saying that it would be the correct decision.[38] The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia later announced that they would assess their ability to conclude the 2020 Saudi Cup investigation "in a robust and comprehensive fashion."[39] In January 2024 the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia formally recommended Maximum Security's disqualification, claiming that Servis committed "substantial breaches of the rules." The matter was referred to the Stewards' Committee, which will conduct a hearing into the matter at a later date.[40]
Pedigree
Sire New Year's Day |
Street Cry |
Machiavellian | Mr. Prospector |
---|---|---|---|
Coup de Folie | |||
Helen Street | Troy | ||
Waterway | |||
Justwhistledixie |
Dixie Union | Dixieland Band | |
Shes Tops | |||
General Jeanne | Honour and Glory | ||
Ahpo Hel | |||
Dam Lil Indy |
Anasheed |
A.P. Indy | Seattle Slew |
Weekend Surprise | |||
Flagbird | Nureyev | ||
Up The Flagpole | |||
Cresta Lil |
Cresta Rider | Northern Dancer | |
Thoroly Blue | |||
Rugosa | Double Jay | ||
Rose (family: 1-n) |
See also
References
- ^ Shulman, Lenny (April 30, 2019). "Gary and Mary West Hope to Change Derby Fortunes". The Blood-Horse. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Maximum Security profile". Equibase. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- ^ U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York. "Thoroughbred Racehorse Trainer Jason Servis Sentenced To Four Years In Prison".
- ^ "Taking Stock: New Life for New Year's Day". Thoroughbred Daily News. July 26, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- ^ "Lil Indy, Dam Of Maximum Security, Consigned To Keeneland November Sale". Paulick Report. October 1, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- ^ "Daily Racing Form: Jason Servis Cuts His Own Path To The Kentucky Derby". Saratoga Living. May 3, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- ^ "Maximum Security Headed to Baffert's Barn". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- ^ a b "Maximum Security Much the Best in Florida Derby". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
- ^ "Undefeated Maximum Security is a puzzling Kentucky Derby contender". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
- ^ Hammonds, Evan (May 4, 2019). "Country House Awarded the Kentucky Derby Via DQ". BloodHorse. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ McCann, Michael (May 7, 2019). "Could the Controversial Finish at the Kentucky Derby Lead to a Federal Lawsuit?". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
- ^ Hackbarth, Chelsea (May 6, 2019). "Right Or Wrong? Derby DQ Leaves Unanswered Questions". Paulick Report. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- ^ "Jockey Luis Saez Suspended 15 Days for Derby Infraction". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- The Courier-Journal. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
- ^ "Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Files Motion To Dismiss Derby DQ Lawsuit". paulickreport.com. June 11, 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
- ^ "Judge dismisses suit by owners of Derby DQ Maximum Security". ABC News. November 15, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- ^ Ehalt, Bob (June 16, 2019). "King for a Day Stuns Maximum Security in Pegasus". BloodHorse.
- ^ "Maximum Security escapes inquiry, wins Haskell". ESPN. AP. July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
- ^ "Maximum Security Emerges Victorious in Haskell Stakes". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- ^ "Maximum Security Lands in NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- ^ "Wests' Game Winner, Maximum Security to Miss Travers". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- ^ "Maximum Security forced out of Pa. Derby with colon issue". AP NEWS. September 18, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ "Maximum Security Delivers in Bold Ruler". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- ^ "Maximum Security wins Cigar Mile at Aqueduct - NBC Sports". NBC Sports. December 8, 2019. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- ^ Ehalt, Bob (December 15, 2019). "West Considers Saudi Cup for Maximum Security". bloodhorse.com. The Blood-Horse. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- ^ "No Denying Maximum Security 3-Year-Old Male Eclipse". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- ^ "Coolmore Acquires Half-Interest in Maximum Security". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- ^ "$20M Purse Brings Top Horses to Saudi Cup". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- ^ Harding, Jonathan. "Maximum Security digs deep to take the inaugural Saudi Cup in Riyadh". Racing Post.
- ^ "Full Result 5.40 Riyadh (KSA) | 29 February 2020 | Racing Post". Racing Post. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- ^ "Exam of Maximum Security Finds No Serious Issues". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ "Maximum Security Turns in First Gallop for Baffert". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ "Maximum Security Wins by a Nose in San Diego Return". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
- ^ King, Byron. "No Catching Maximum Security in Pacific Classic". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- ^ Angst, Frank. "Servis, Navarro Among 27 Facing Doping-Related Charges". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
- ^ "Maximum Security's Championship May Be at Risk". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- ^ "Midnight Bisou Owners Claim Foul on Maximum Security". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
- ^ Ehalt, Bob (December 10, 2022). "West Would Support Saudi Cup DQ of Maximum Security". The Blood-Horse. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
- ^ McCroskey, Corrie (December 12, 2022). "JCSA Continues 2020 Saudi Cup Investigation". The Blood-Horse. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
- ^ Hegarty, Matt (January 23, 2024). "Saudi Jockey Club recommends DQ of Maximum Security from 2020 Saudi Cup". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved January 23, 2024.