Maximum Security works bullet six furlongs

Maximum Security had his fifth workout of June on Saturday at Santa Anita, moving closer to his first start for trainer Bob Baffert and first start since a win in the $20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 29 in Saudi Arabia.

Maximum Security, the champion 3-year-old male of 2019, worked six furlongs in 1:12.40, his second consecutive six-furlong workout.

Sunday, Baffert did not specify a race goal for Maximum Security, but said the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on July 18 at Del Mar is a “possibility.”

“He’ll be nominated everywhere,” Baffert said.

The $150,000 San Diego Handicap is a prep for the Grade 1 Pacific Classic, a $500,000 race at 1 1/4 miles on Aug. 22 at Del Mar. The Pacific Classic is Del Mar’s leading race.

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Saturday, Maximum Security had the fastest of 12 workouts at six furlongs at Santa Anita.

“He worked nicely,” Baffert said. “He’s a very exciting horse. He looks healthy and he’s moving well. It’s all been positive with him.”

Baffert said Maximum Security will have one more workout at Santa Anita before the stable moves to Del Mar for the track’s summer season, which begins July 10.

Maximum Security is well-known for being disqualified from first to 17th in the 2019 Kentucky Derby after causing interference on the turn.

Maximum Security was previously trained by Jason Servis through the Saudi Cup, but was transferred to Baffert after Servis was part of a group of trainers arrested and indicted on charges of administering illegal substances to horses.

Baffert had several notable horses on the track at Santa Anita for workouts Sunday.

Authentic, second in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on June 6, worked five furlongs in 1:01.80 for the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational on July 18 at Monmouth Park.

McKinzie, winner of the Grade 2 Triple Bend Stakes at seven furlongs on June 7 at Santa Anita, worked six furlongs in 1:12.20 for Saturday’s Grade 1 Runhappy Metropolitan Mile at Belmont Park.

Improbable, winner of the Grade 1 Gold Cup on June 6 at Santa Anita, worked five furlongs in 1:01.80, which Baffert described as a “maintenance work.”