Maximum Security in, Baffert loaded in older division, too

Much has been made about the slew of top 3-year-olds gathered this spring in trainer Bob Baffert’s barn. But could his group of older horses be just as impressive?

In recent weeks, the Hall of Famer added to his arsenal Maximum Security, who has questions to answer as a former Jason Servis trainee but has impressed Baffert nonetheless.

“He looks good,” said Baffert, who has just started the 4-year-old son of New Year’s Day back jogging. “He’s moving well. He looks very sound. We’re just trying to figure him out right now.”

Maximum Security was last seen winning the $20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 29, though none of that prize money was paid out to connections. Saudi Arabian officials are withholding it pending an investigation into Servis, who just more than a week after the race was indicted by federal prosecutors alleging he administered an illegal substance to horses, including Maximum Security.

Co-owner Gary West sent his champion colt to Dr. Larry Bramlage for a full evaluation before Maximum Security was cleared to resume training with Baffert.

“He can be a handful, but he’s got a good mind — got a really smart head on him,” the trainer said. “He’s built like a tank. You look at him and say, ‘How did this horse go a mile and a quarter?’ But he’s so good.”

While Maximum Security doesn’t figure to appear during the upcoming Santa Anita Park meet, which could resume as soon as May 15, Baffert is lining up his other older stars for potential stakes starts.

Improbable, second to open his season in the April 11 Oaklawn Mile, scratched from last weekend’s Oaklawn Handicap (G2) after drawing the outside post. He could switch surfaces, Baffert said, as WinStar Farm’s Elliott Walden has inquired about it in the past. The May 25 Shoemaker Mile (G1) goes over the lawn.

“I wish I could work him on the turf one time and see how he’d go,” Baffert said. Stay tuned.

If not there, Improbable has the June 6 Gold Cup at Santa Anita (G1) on his agenda.

The 1 1/4-mile dirt feature is also a possibility for McKinzie, who submitted an uncharacteristic effort in the Saudi Cup, finishing 11th. Two starts back, he was second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic over the Gold Cup’s course and distance.

“He might make it,” Baffert said of McKinzie, a 5-year-old son of Street Sense who breezed a half mile in 47.80 seconds on Sunday. “He looks pretty good.”

And then there’s Game Winner. The champion 2-year-old of 2018 hasn’t been seen in the afternoon since winning the Los Alamitos Derby (G3) last July but is back to steadily breezing toward what will be his final campaign. At season’s end, Game Winner has a spot waiting for him at Lane’s End Farm in Kentucky.

The 4-year-old Candy Ride colt fired a bullet Friday for five furlongs in 59.40 seconds and could come off the bench in the June 8 Triple Bend (G2), a seven-furlong stakes.

"He looks unbelievable," Baffert said. "...He's coming around pretty quick."

Baffert also counts among his charges Mucho Gusto, who won the Pegasus World Cup (G1) in his 4-year-old debut. The Mucho Macho Man colt hasn’t worked since setting the pace and sticking around for fourth in the Saudi Cup.