Maximum Security ready for Pacific Classic after strong drill
DEL MAR, Calif. – Slow early, fast late. That was how Maximum Security worked on a warm Sunday morning at Del Mar, his final drill before he starts favored in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic next Saturday.
“He’s ready now,” trainer Bob Baffert said after Maximum Security worked seven furlongs in company following the 6:30 a.m. renovation. Maximum Security broke off behind McKale at the 5 1/2-furlong pole, rolled past his workmate in the lane, and galloped out a mile in 1:38.20.
Maximum Security earned an official seven-furlong work time of 1:25.40, and Baffert was pleased at how he finished and galloped out under exercise rider Juan Ochoa. Baffert timed his splits in 48 seconds, 1:01.60, 1:13, and 1:25.40.
Baffert said Maximum Security has changed.
“When I got him, I couldn’t get him to do anything,” he said. “He was the laziest guy. Now, he’s doing it.”
Maximum Security won the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles by a nose in his comeback last month and will be racing 1 1/4 miles for the first time since he crossed the wire first in the 2019 Kentucky Derby. After the Sunday work, Baffert was asked about the Pacific Classic distance and if it was a potential challenge.
“He just went out in 38, like nothing,” he said, referring to the workout. Baffert said the longer distance of the Pacific Classic “is not a challenge.”
The 2020 Pacific Classic field will be small and will include 2019 winner Higher Power, who also worked in company after the 6:30 break on Sunday.
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Higher Power, under assistant trainer and exercise rider Juan Leyva, broke off at the five-furlong pole behind St. Joe Bay and worked a furlong past the wire. Trainer John Sadler timed Higher Power in 1:12.60 and 1:24.80 galloping out seven furlongs. His official work time was six furlongs in 1:12.80.
A field of six entered the Pacific Classic, but Sharp Samurai is likely to scratch and run Sunday in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile.
The Pacific Classic field, in post position order, with rider and morning-line odds:
1-Midcourt, Victor Espinoza, 7-2
2-Higher Power, Flavien Prat, 3-1
3-Mirinaque, Tiago Pereira, 10-1
4-Dark Vader, Umberto Rispoli, 12-1
5-Maximum Security, Abel Cedillo, 1-1
6-Sharp Samurai, Juan Hernandez, 8-1