The Kentucky Derby picture remains muddy after yesterday’s Florida Derby-G1. Maximum Security, a previous $16,000 claimer trained by Jason Servis, ran away with the race, leaving such royally bred colts as Hidden Scroll, Code of Honor and Bourbon War eating his dust. Jason Servis says he now must cancel his May fishing trip, since Maximum Security has earned 100 points and sits, with other leaders, atop the Kentucky Derby starters list.
Maximum Security is by New Year’s Day. Who is he, and where is he? He has jumped to fourth on the third crop sires list, behind only Point of Entry (whose Plus Que Parfait won the UAE Derby-G1 yesterday on Dubai World Cup day), Take Charge Indy, Graydar (whose Gray Magician finished second in the UAE Derby), and ahead of young sire sensation Violence. After beginning his career at Lexington’s Hill ‘n’ Dale, with his owners, Gary and Mary West, offering all kinds of incentives to breed to him, and starting out at a stud fee of $12,500 which dropped to $3500, New Year’s Day was sold very early this year to Brazil. And last November, at the Keeneland Mixed Sale, the Wests sold Maximum Security’s dam, Lil Indy, carrying a full sibling to Maximum Security, for $11,000, to Korean interests.
The Wests raced the precocious, talented New Year’s Day, who was trained by Bob Baffert, and now race this serious contender, Maximum Security, who remains unbeaten, four for four. They have another potential Derby colt, Game Winner, by Candy Ride and also trained by Baffert, whose entry into the prestigious race is in question due to a lack of points, though that may still change. Maybe Baffert should be the one to plan a May fishing trip. Clearly, the Wests will be in Louisville on the first Saturday in May, dreaming of roses.
— Roberta Smoodin