DEL MAR, Calif. _ Nothing comes easy for Maximum Security, so why should the Grade 1 Pacific Classic be any different?
Someday it might be fitting to describe Maximum Security as "great," as trainer Bob Baffert has hinted. But not until the $500,000 Pacific Classic on Saturday at Del Mar, and only if Maximum Security defeats Higher Power and Midcourt at a mile and a quarter.
It is never that simple for Maximum Security.
In fact, his career is one twist after another � maiden-claiming winner, disqualified from victory in the Kentucky Derby, winner of a $20 million race in Saudi Arabia, after which his former trainer was indicted for administering illegal medication to his horses.
The weirdness continued last month when Maximum Security made his first start in five months, first at Del Mar, and first since moving to Baffert from Jason Servis. Odds-on in the Grade 2 San Diego, Maximum Security was fully extended to win in slow time. It was not his best race. Baffert disputes the notion it was not impressive.
"I think it was pretty impressive," Baffert said. "It was a weird race. He got blocked in, then he got stopped, and at the top of the stretch he was completely empty. And he still willed himself to win. He showed right there how tough he is. He's got a will. Only the great ones do that."
Baffert is right that Maximum Security and new rider Abel Cedillo did not have an easy trip. He broke on top and set the pace, got hooked, shuffled to third, then re-rallied outside and won by a nose.
The race was only slightly faster on raw figures than a second-level allowance earlier on the card won by Dark Vader, but the effort was as tenacious as always. Maximum Security has faced 75 rivals and finished in front of 74; he crossed the wire first 10 of 11 starts. He is built like a Quarter Horse, yet carried his speed a mile and a quarter in the 2019 Derby.
If he improves second start back and stays the trip, Maximum Security can win again. His rivals are the two-three San Diego finishers Midcourt and Higher Power, Dark Vader, Argentina import Mirinaque, and Sharp Samurai. Sharp Samurai had been under consideration for another race, but trainer Mark Glatt said Thursday he will run in the Pacific Classic.
The six-runner Pacific Classic is race 10 on a card with five stakes, including the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap, race 7, featuring United. The Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks, race 9, includes Laura's Light and imports Miss Extra and Neige Blanche.
Maximum Security opens as the even-money favorite in the Pacific Classic, race 10, a Win and You're In for the Breeders' Cup Classic. The handicapping dilemma is projecting improvement from Maximum Security following his gritty comeback.
"How do you really explain that race?" Higher Power's trainer John Sadler asked. "Did Maximum Security come back? Is it that he needed a race and is going to step right back to his old form? Who knows?"
Sadler can only be sure they are playing Higher Power's game Saturday. "The distance is the thing that's going to increase our chances. His best races are a mile and a quarter _ second in the Gold Cup, third in the Breeders' Cup, winner of this race last year."
Higher Power finished far behind Maximum Security and Midcourt in the San Diego, but it was only a bridge. Sadler had planned to bring Higher Power into the Pacific Classic on works, and knew before the San Diego he was up against it at a mile and a sixteenth.
"It was too short. The reason I ran him is he was doing so well and we had that break for COVID," Sadler said, acknowledging mild frustration at finishing third by more than six lengths. "It was a little disappointing. It was a head-scratching race for everybody."
Higher Power has won 5 of 18, and though winless in five starts since his Pacific Classic romp last summer, his speed figures and company lines suggest he is as good as ever at age 5. Flavien Prat rides Higher Power, the 7-2 second choice.
Midcourt set most of the pace in the San Diego, missed by a nose, and is likely to make the running in the Pacific Classic, pending his attitude. "He has his own mind," jockey Victor Espinoza said. "He has to do whatever he wants to do. I just let him do his thing. Sometimes he breaks good, sometimes he does not."
John Shirreffs trains Midcourt, who breaks from the inside post as the 4-1 third choice. For Espinoza, the key is the start. "It's going to be out of the gate," he said. "If he breaks running then I'm going to ... just cruise."
Dark Vader would have run Aug. 28 in the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic, but he was not guaranteed a berth. Winner of a second-level allowance last out, Dark Vader is making his third start following a layoff, against the toughest field he has faced.
"We know exactly who we're up against. The competition is the biggest issue," trainer Peter Eurton said. "I think he'll get the mile and a quarter. It's all about the competition."
Umberto Rispoli rides Dark Vader.
Group 1 winner Mirinaque will make his U.S. debut under Tiago Pereira. Sharp Samurai, runner-up to United last out in a Grade 2 turf race, will be ridden by Juan Hernandez.
