What we learned: Maximum Security reestablishes himself

One handicapping rule is to view with skepticism a major horse returning from a layoff in a lower-class race than normal, such as an allowance or Grade 3 contest. In most cases, the trainer hasn't tuned up that horse to be 100%.

But in the Bold Ruler Handicap (G3) at Belmont Park, Maximum Security appeared ready to go. His ears remained pricked the entire 25 minutes before the race as he gave the impression of a horse eager to run.

Maximum Security did get lucky with a few scratches when Wonderful Light and Knicks Go, the main two pace opponents, defected. The absence of those two made Maximum Security the controlling speed.

According to NYRA handicapper Andy Serling, the dirt course showed an inside bias as well, giving Maximum Security another factor in his favor. That's despite trainer Jason Servis insisting the inside positioning might not have helped his horse. 

Regardless, Maximum Security won like a horse in a different class.

Watch him put away True Timber on the turn. With a strong hand ride, Maximum Security also kept Diamond King and Prince Lucky at bay. 

Maximum Security continued on strongly to win by 1 ¾ lengths. Tale of Silence took advantage of tired horses to run up the rail and pick up second over True Timber, while Prince Lucky and Diamond King flattened out.

For the win, Maximum Security earned an impressive 106 Beyer Speed Figure. As of this writing, the final TimeformUS figure is not released. But according to TimeformUS' Craig Milkowski, it will end up as 125 or 128.

Clearly, Maximum Security reestablished himself as a top 3-year-old dirt horse. Pending the results of Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic, he'll size up as either the division leader or co-leader.

Consider that in Maximum Security's eight-race career, only one horse has ever crossed the wire in front of him. That came in the Pegasus Stakes, his first start after the Kentucky Derby, and in a prep for an eventual Haskell Invitational (G1) score. This time, Maximum Security didn't look short off the bench.

Whether Maximum Security shows up next in the Clark Handicap (G1) or Cigar Mile (G1), he should prove tough to beat again, likely as the favorite. This is a quality horse who has repeatedly proven himself.

Did Tom's d'Etat belong in the Breeders' Cup?

Over at Keeneland, Tom's d'Etat lived up to his favoritism in the Fayette Stakes (G2) by tracking the pacesetter Mr Freeze and overpowering him.

Tom's d'Etat drew clear by 4 ¼ lengths while Mr Freeze held second.

For some reason, Tom's d'Etat switched to his wrong lead late. But that is the only miscue in an otherwise solid performance over the slop.

In any case, was choosing the Fayette over the Breeders' Cup a mistake?

Before the Fayette, Tom's d'Etat earned TimeformUS Speed Figures of 123, 123, 125 and 124. Granted, those numbers are not outstanding at the Grade 1 level, especially after watching Maximum Security's race.

But on paper, this is one of the more questionable Breeders' Cup Classic fields. It is not hard to imagine a 123 or 124 type of horse contending.

As a 6-year-old horse, it is not clear whether he will stay in top form and get another chance at the Breeders' Cup, or even run another full campaign. This is a horse with a nice pedigree and breeding potential.

Then again, the Breeders' Cup remains a gamble because of the high entry fees. Tom's d'Etat just won a $200,000 race for his connections after all.

Thousand Words debuts with a win for Baffert

This is not a surprise, but trainer Bob Baffert debuted another nice looking 2-year-old yesterday at Santa Anita named Thousand Words.

Thousand Words only won Race 4 by a half-length over Thunder Code. However, he did finish in a fast time of 1:16.77 for 6 ½ furlongs.

Later in Race 8, older maidens went the same distance in 1:17.25. The winner, Soldier Boy, previously earned a 100 TimeformUS Speed Figure. Assuming Soldier Boy repeated or improved on his previous figure, it is a safe guess Thousand Words earned a triple-digit number on TimeformUS.

But in terms of his Kentucky Derby prospects, Thousand Words does not quite own the pedigree. His dam, Pomeroy's Pistol, ran as a sprinter, winning races such as the 2011 Forward Gal Stakes (G2) and Gallant Bloom Handicap (G2), before running fourth in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. Pioneerof the Nile on top helps offset the sprint bottom slightly.

In all likelihood, though, Thousand Words will develop into a nice sprinter or miler as time goes on and could appear on the Kentucky Derby trail along the way.