Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert was pleased with champion colt Maximum Security’s first work in his barn on Monday, in which the 4-year-old son of New Year’s Day covered a half-mile in :49.60 seconds at Santa Anita Park.
“We’re getting to know him,” Baffert told the Daily Racing Form. “He’s a classy horse. He worked by himself. I’m getting him used to the way I do things.”
Maximum Security worked 4 Furlongs in :49.60 at @santaanitapark on June 1st, 2020, for trainer @BobBaffert. pic.twitter.com/nNiXoiQy7z
— XBTV (@WatchXBTV) June 1, 2020
Owner/breeder Gary West moved Maximum Security to Baffert’s care in March after trainer Jason Servis was indicted on federal charges of administering illegal substances to horses. While under Servis’ care, Maximum Security won the G1 Florida Derby, was disqualified from first in the G1 Kentucky Derby due to interference, and won the G1 Haskell and G1 Cigar Mile to close out 2019.
In February of 2020 the colt won the inaugural $20 million Saudi Cup over Midnight Bisou, but Saudi officials announced that purse monies from that race are being withheld until they complete their own investigation into the federal charges. Maximum Security was given a rest and a full medical evaluation before he was shipped West to Baffert’s barn.
Baffert said he hopes to race Maximum Security later this summer, but no specific target has been named.
Read more at the Daily Racing Form.
New to the Paulick Report? Click here to sign up for our daily email newsletter to keep up on this and other stories happening in the Thoroughbred industry.
Copyright © 2020 Paulick Report.
