Maximum Security locks down Florida Derby 2019 win

What happens when the speedy but inexperienced favorite focuses on rating, allowing another contender to assume an early lead?

We saw it Saturday when Hidden Scroll was upset — again — this time by Maximum Security, who took them all the way in the Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby.

Jason Servis-trained Maximum Security crossed over the rail-riding Hidden Scroll into the first turn at Gulfstream Park, then coasted to a comfortable lead in the major Kentucky Derby 2019 prep, clicking off fractions of 24.42, 48.98 and 1:12.90.

With plenty in reserve, he galloped stretch to win by 3 1/2 lengths a race that has produced more Kentucky Derby winners than any other prep with 15 total, the most-recent in 2017 with Always Dreaming.

A son of New Year's Day, Maximum Security's final time for the nine furlongs was 1:48.86 under jockey Luis Saez.

“It was beautiful," Saez said. "He broke so perfect and I just took it. He was traveling beautiful, and when he came to the half-mile pole and you feel the pressure I knew I had a lot of horse and in the stretch he just took off.

"My plan was if [Hidden Scroll] or somebody else took the lead I’m going to sit because I don’t want to make the race for somebody else. He took it so easy, so I just went with it.”

"His father won in the Breeders' Cup at a mile and a sixteenth," servis said of Maximum Security, "and I had a lot of confidence in Luis Saez -- top rider. We started talking about the race and I said, 'Luis, you ride him however you like. He's yours.'"

Maximum Security should remain an underdog story into the first Saturday in May. He debuted for a $16,000 tag, underestimated by his connections, and cruised to a trio of open-lengths victories before making this big step up to the top level.

As a result, owners/breeders Gary and Mary West have a second runner in the Kentucky Derby field adding to champion Game Winner, who runs on the West Coast.

“It hasn’t hit me yet,” said Servis, who joked of the victory, "I guess that ruins my fishing in May. But we're going to Churchill."

A high-percentage trainer, Servis fielded his first Kentucky Derby starter a year ago in Firenze Fire, who ran 11th.

Behind Maximum Security, a maiden who chased the dawdling fractions, Bodexpress, ran second to perhaps send him to the Derby. The 1-2 Fountain of Youth (G2) finishers, Code of Honor and Bourbon War, hit the wire just behind in third and fourth.

"I thought we were done in the turn and he kind of kept going," said Code of Honor's trainer, Shug McGaughey. "I think he tried to get him going early because he could see what was going on. It just didn't work out. I'm not overly disappointed with the way he ran."

Hidden Scroll will not proceed to the Derby with points paying out to the Top 4 on a 100-40-20-10 basis.

“We'll start over, which is probably what most sensible trainers would have done in the very beginning anyway,” said Bill Mott, who trains Hidden Scroll, earner of a crop-best 104 Beyer Speed Figure on debut Jan. 26. “We probably bit off more than we could chew and we'll kind of start over.”

Away at 9-2, Maximum Security returned $11.60.