Maximum Security owners say they would back Saudi Cup DQ

One day after Jason Servis pleaded guilty to federal horse-doping charges, owners Gary and Mary West said they would support a redistribution of prize money from their biggest win with the trainer.

Maximum Security won the $20 million Saudi Cup for the Wests and Servis in February 2020. Less than two weeks later, Servis was arrested on charges that he illegally doped racehorses as part of a federal roundup.

Servis pleaded guilty Friday in New York to one felony charge and one misdemeanor charge of administering performance-enhancing drugs to horses. He faces up to four years in federal prison and will be sentenced in May.

In the wake of Servis’ arrest, Saudi Cup officials did not pay out the $10 million winner’s share to Maximum Security’s connections. Prince Bandar bin Khalid, chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, said before the 2021 race that the money was “in a hold position” pending Servis’ charges.

Nearly three years after Maximum Security’s win, the Wests said they will not contest a redistribution of the prize money. The couple released the following statement through Werk Thoroughbred Consultants:

“We believe in the justice system and have patiently waited for the legal prosecution to take its course. Now that Jason Servis has entered a guilty plea, we want to make it clear that if the Saudi Cup decides to redistribute the purse we would support that decision. Hopefully, that action will prevent future conduct of this nature. We believe the decision to take the Saudi Cup purse from Maximum Security and redistribute it is the correct one. There will be no further statements or comments.”

Saudi Cup officials have not yet announced a change of the 2020 race results. Retired champion mare Midnight Bisou crossed second behind Maximum Security and would be in line to move up in the event of a disqualification.

Such a move would make Maximum Security the subject of a second infamous DQ.

Maximum Security finished first in the 2019 Kentucky Derby only to be dropped to 19th by state stewards for interference. The Wests’ courtroom challenges to that decision were unsuccessful.

Servis attorney Rita Glavin said Friday in court that her client would admit that Maximum Security had been administered a compounded substance called SGF-1000 by a veterinarian for his barn.

Now retired, Maximum Security started his career in the maiden claiming ranks before rising to the top of the sport.

Under Servis’ watch, he won the 2019 Florida Derby (G1), Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) and Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) to earn Eclipse Award honors for top 3-year-old male. He then started his 4-year-old season by winning the Saudi Cup.

After Servis’ arrest, the Wests transferred Maximum Security to trainer Bob Baffert’s barn for the final four races of his career. The son of New Year’s Day won Del Mar’s 2020 Pacific Classic (G1) but settled for fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland.

Maximum Security now stands as a Coolmore stallion. His fee for 2023 is $10,000.