Maximum Security wins Pacific Classic at Del Mar

Associated PressAug 23, 2020, 1:43 PM EDT

Doug Hood

DEL MAR, Calif. — Maximum Security won the $500,000 Pacific Classic by three lengths at Del Mar on Saturday, the star-crossed colt’s second victory since moving to the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.

Ridden by Abel Cedillo, Maximum Security ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.24. He paid $2.80, $2.20 and $2.10 as the 2-5 favorite in the field of six.

It was Baffert’s record-tying sixth win in the Grade 1 race at the seaside track north of San Diego.

“Once he took the lead I figured he’d be fine,” Baffert said. “Max was relaxing really nice. He just does things effortlessly.”

Sharp Samurai returned $5 and $3.60. Midcourt was another 2 3/4 lengths back in third and paid $3 to show. Defending champion Higher Power finished fourth. Argentina-bred Mirinaque was fifth in his U.S. debut. Dark Vader was last.

Sharp Samurai stuck close to pacesetter Maximum Security, but could not get past him.

“He ran big, but whenever he would get close, my horse would pull away on his own,” Cedillo said. “He still had a little left at the end. I have to say this is probably the best horse I’ve ever ridden.”

With the victory, Maximum Security earned a berth in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on Nov. 7. The 4-year-old bay colt has 10 wins in 12 career starts.

Maximum Security won the San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on July 25 in his first start in five months and first under Baffert’s care. He crossed the wire first in last year’s Kentucky Derby, but was disqualified for interference and placed 17th.

Earlier this year, Maximum Security won the $20 million Saudi Cup – the world’s richest race – only to have his purse money put on hold because of issues with trainer Jason Servis, who is facing charges of using drugs on his horses.

“I’m just so happy for this horse,” Baffert said. “It’s not his fault what he went through. He showed that he is a great horse.”

Gary West bred and owns Maximum Security with his wife Mary and a trio of Europeans.

“I’ve got tears in my eyes,” he said. “I’m so happy. He looked so comfortable out there.”

Forte works out, waits for Belmont Stakes clearance

Associated PressMay 27, 2023, 3:14 PM EDT

Matt Stone/USA TODAY NETWORK

NEW YORK — Forte, the early Kentucky Derby favorite who was scratched on the day of the race, worked out in preparation for a possible start in the Belmont Stakes on June 10.

Under regular rider Irad Ortiz Jr., Forte worked five-eighths of a mile for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. It was the colt’s second workout since being scratched from the Derby on May 6.

“It seems like he’s maintained his fitness level,” Pletcher said. “It seems like everything is in good order.”

Forte was placed on a mandatory 14-day veterinary list after being scratched from the Derby because of a bruised right front foot. In order to be removed from the list, the colt had to work in front of a state veterinarian and give a blood sample afterward, the results of which take five days.

“There’s protocols in place and we had to adhere to those and we’re happy that everything went smoothly,” Pletcher said. “We felt confident the horse was in good order or we wouldn’t have been out there twice in the last six days, but you still want to make sure everything went smoothly and we’re happy everything did go well.”

Pletcher said Kingsbarns, who finished 14th in the Kentucky Derby, will miss the Belmont. The colt is showing signs of colic, although he is fine, the trainer said.

Another Pletcher-trained horse, Prove Worthy, is under consideration for the Belmont. He also has Tapit Trice, who finished seventh in the Derby, being pointed toward the Belmont.

Judge grants Churchill Downs’ request for summary judgment to dismiss Bob Baffert’s lawsuit

Associated PressMay 25, 2023, 9:36 PM EDT

Abbey Cutrer/USA TODAY NETWORK

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A federal judge has granted Churchill Downs’ motion for summary judgment that dismisses Bob Baffert’s claim the track breached due process by suspending the Hall of Fame trainer for two years.

Churchill Downs Inc. suspended Baffert in June 2021 after his now-deceased colt, Medina Spirit, failed a postrace drug test after crossing the finish line first in the 147th Kentucky Derby. The trainer’s request to lift the discipline was denied in February, keeping him out of the Derby for a second consecutive May.

U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings ruled in a 12-page opinion issued Wednesday that Churchill Downs’ suspension of Baffert did not devalue his Kentucky trainer’s license. It cited his purse winnings exceeding $1 million at Keeneland in Lexington and stated that his argument “amounts to a false analogy that distorts caselaw.”

Jennings denied CDI’s motion to stay discovery as moot.

The decision comes less than a week after Baffert-trained colt National Treasure won the Preakness in his first Triple Crown race in two years. His record eighth win in the second jewel of the Triple Crown came hours after another of his horses, Havnameltdown, was euthanized following an injury at Pimlico.

Churchill Downs said in a statement that it was pleased with the court’s favorable ruling as in Baffert’s other cases.

It added, “While he may choose to file baseless appeals, this completes the seemingly endless, arduous and unnecessary litigation proceedings instigated by Mr. Baffert.”

Baffert’s suspension is scheduled to end on June 2, but the track’s release noted its right to extend it “and will communicate our decision” at its conclusion.