Maximum Security makes first start in three months in Bold Ruler Handicap

ELMONT, N.Y. – A week before the Breeders’ Cup is run at Santa Anita, a horse who once figured prominently for the $6 million Classic will instead try to jump-start his season in the Grade 3, $200,000 Bold Ruler Handicap at Belmont Park.

Maximum Security, the multiple Grade 1-winning 3-year-old who was the first horse disqualified from the Kentucky Derby for an on-track incident, will be making his first start in three months in the Bold Ruler at seven furlongs.

Trainer Jason Servis and owners Gary and Mary West are hoping to use the Bold Ruler as a stepping-stone for a return to Grade 1 company later this year. The $600,000 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs – site of the Kentucky Derby DQ – and the $750,000 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on Dec. 7 are the races being discussed.

“In order to make the next one – whether it’s the Clark or the Cigar Mile – I need to get one in him,” Servis said.

Maximum Security has not started since he won the Grade 1 Haskell at Monmouth Park on July 20. He added that to his earlier Grade 1 victory in the Florida Derby. In between, he was disqualified from first and placed 17th in the Kentucky Derby for being deemed to have interfered with multiple horses, and then was beaten by King for a Day after stumbling at the break in the Pegasus at Monmouth.

He would have been the favorite for the Pennsylvania Derby, but was scratched after developing a severe case of colic that landed him in an equine clinic for one day.

Servis, as is his wont, has been using a series of long, steady gallops to build up Maximum Security’s stamina. On Oct. 20, Maximum Security galloped 1 1/8 miles in 2:10.88 over the Belmont training track.

“Those are long, steady stamina-builders,” Servis said. “If anything, maybe he’s not keen because he hasn’t run in a while. I’m looking forward to getting a race under his belt.”

Maximum Security will break from the rail under Luis Saez. Maximum Security won his only start at seven furlongs, a starter allowance at Gulfstream that he took by 18 1/4 lengths after also breaking from the rail.

He certainly has enough early speed, but there are others in here who possess early lick as well, such as Wonderful Light, Knicks Go, True Timber, and Diamond King.

Prince Lucky has speed, but he’s also shown the ability to stalk from up close. He is well drawn on the outside in this eight-horse field, giving jockey John Velazquez the option to see what’s happening to his inside.

“He’s speedy enough. When there’s no real pace he can be on the lead or he can take up a good stalking position,” trainer Todd Pletcher said.

Killybegs Captain showed a strong turn of foot winning the Grade 3 De Francis Dash going six furlongs at Laurel. Prior to that he finished third to Mitole in the Grade 1 Forego at seven furlongs. Killybegs Captain breaks from post 6 in the eight-horse field.

“Great post, gives him a chance,” trainer John Terranova said. “You don’t have to worry about having to send or being boxed in. He should be able to sit in a good spot and make a run.”

Tale of Silence doesn’t win very often, but he did win the Westchester going a mile here in 2018. He has a strong closing kick that makes him useable in multi-horse wagers. He finished second to Prince Lucky in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Mile in March and is 3 for 7 at Belmont.

True Timber finished second in this race and the Cigar Mile a year ago. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said True Timber doesn’t like kickback, and he is drawn in the middle of the field in post 4. Joe Bravo rides.

Diamond King finished a strong second to Coal Front in the Parx Dirt Mile on Sept. 21. He has come back with a bullet half-mile breeze in 46.60 at Parx for trainer John Servis.

The Bold Ruler goes as race 8 on a 10-race card that includes the $100,000 Awad Stakes for 2-year-olds on turf and the $100,000 English Channel for 3-year-olds on turf.