Unraced since a 1 ¼-length victory in the July 20 Haskell Invitational (G1), Maximum Security will get back to action in Saturday’s $200,000 Bold Ruler (G3) at Belmont Park. The seven-furlong test serves as a prep for the Cigar Mile (G1) on December 7, and front-running colt is expected to remaining in training at age 4.
A debut winner over $16,000 maiden claiming rivals at Gulfstream Park last December, Maximum Security won his first four starts by open lengths including the Florida Derby (G1). He sustained his first setback via disqualification in the Kentucky Derby (G1), needlessly drifting out into the path of a rival before finishing first by 1 ¾ lengths. The son of New Year’s Day dropped his next outing, finishing second in the Pegasus (G3), but rebounded stylishly in the Haskell, earning a career-best 104 BRIS Speed rating.
Regular rider Luis Saez has the call on the Jason Servis-trained sophomore, and Maximum Security will make his first one-turn start since February.
“I like the cut back,” Servis said. “He’s won at this distance. All systems are go.”
A leading contender for champion three-year-old honors, Maximum Security will face seven challengers in the Bold Ruler.
Prince Lucky reeled off consecutive wins in the Hal’s Hope (G3) and Gulfstream Park Mile (G2) earlier this season and exits a half-length second as the favorite in the September 21 Kelso (G2) at Belmont Park. Todd Pletcher trains the two-time Belmont Park stakes winner and John Velazquez rides.
Forego (G1) third-placer Killybegs Captain will enter on the upswing for John Terranova, registering a career-best 100 BRIS Speed rating for a win in the September 21 DeFrancis Dash Memorial (G3) at Laurel Park, and the five-year-old gray retains the services of Eric Cancel.
True Timber and Tale of Silence, third and fourth respectively in the Kelso, are also back for the Bold Ruler. Other contestants include multiple stakes victor Diamond King, a good second to Coal Front in the Parx Dirt Mile last out; and Grade 1-winning juvenile Knicks Go, who ships north off a decent second in a Keeneland allowance.
