Following Saudi glory, Saez to start anew with agent McLaughlin

Fresh off a victory in the richest race in Thoroughbred history, jockey Luis Saez returned to his South Florida roots this week.

After riding Maximum Security to an historic triumph in the $20 million Saudi Cup on Saturday in Saudi Arabia, it was business as usual for Saez, who had seven mounts on Wednesday’s program at Gulfstream Park.

“It’s was amazing, but I’m so glad to come back and be here,” said the 27-year-old Panama native, who began riding in South Florida in 2009 and enjoyed immediate success.

Saez enjoyed a long and successful association with agent Richard DePass while amassing 2,362 wins and more than $116 million in purses-won. Next he will join forces with Kiaran McLaughlin, who made the decision to step away from a highly successful training career and become his new agent upon the conclusion of Gulfstream's Championship Meet.

“[DePass] told me he wanted to retire. We sat at the table, me, him and Kiaran, and we made the decision,” Saez said “I’m going to miss him a lot.”

McLaughlin and Saez have enjoyed a successful trainer-jockey association over the years.

“I’m so glad, because Kiaran is a man I respect,” Saez said. “He has treated me so good and given me so much support. Having him as an agent is very special.”

It was, however, trainer Jason Servis who provided Saez with the mount of a lifetime in Maximum Security, who closed resolutely to pass pacesetter Mucho Gusto in deep stretch and hold off Midnight Bisou by a half-length in the Saudi Cup.

“It was something special for me, all the connections, my family, everybody,” Saez said. “He was coming. The horse on the lead [pacesetter Mucho Gusto] was running too. For a second, I didn’t know if we could beat him, but in the last jumps, we got there.”

Maximum Security and Saez also captured the Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream last season before finishing first by 1 ¾ lengths in the Kentucky Derby, only to be controversially disqualified and placed 17th. Maximum Security went on to be named 3-year-old champion at the Eclipse Awards having finished off his sophomore campaign with wins in the Haskell (G1), Bold Ruler (G3) and Cigar Mile (G1).

Just like he did in the Kentucky Derby, Maximum Security left little doubt who the best horse in the Saudi Cup was -- only this time he would not be denied a victory.

“I’m so glad. Every time he runs, he gets better and better. He’s a tough horse -- a very special horse,” Saez said.

Saez, a two-time Championship Meet leader who finished one win behind Irad Ortiz Jr. last season, entered the racing week second behind the defending champion and is on course to become the only jockey to win 100 or more races four consecutive years.