Saudi Cup prize money withheld amid investigation into Servis

The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia announced Monday it is withholding prize money exiting the Feb. 29 Saudi Cup pending an investigation into former Maximum Security trainer Jason Servis.

The Saudi Cup, as a $20 million event, was the richest race in the world, with half of that to be distributed the winning horse's connections with other finishers through 10th place each due to receive a payout. But days after Maximum Security crossed the wire first, federal investigators in the United States announced charges against Servis alleging he administered a banned substance to his horses, including the reigning American champion 3-year-old.

An indictment against Servis describes SGF-1000 as "a customized (performance-enhancing drug) purportedly containing ‘growth factors," with wire taps of Servis detailing his use of it in Maximum Security before Monmouth Park's Pegasus Stakes last summer. The Kentucky company that produced the drug and marketed its benefits is also under scrutiny.

Servis pleaded not guilty in a New York court in his initial court appearance held via teleconference due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia will conduct its own investigation, it said, before deciding how to award purse money.

"JSCA will withhold payment of prize money due to all connections of horses placed in prize-winning positions in The Saudi Cup, Race 8," the announcement reads. "This decision has been communicated privately to connections of Saudi Cup runners.

"Due to difficult operational circumstances caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic, the investigation has not yet concluded. JSCA will issue no further statement until such time as the investigation is completed to our satisfaction."

Last month, Jeff Bloom, who co-owns the mare Midnight Bisou, second in the Saudi Cup, said he "would expect" Maximum Security to be disqualified given the evidence against Servis.

“We are of course deeply concerned and frustrated of the apparent cheating and blatant disregard for the equine athletes that has been pervasive for all the accused in the federal indictments," Bloom said on March 11.

“We could not be more proud of our mare and her accomplishments, in particular her breathtaking performance in the Saudi Cup where she handily beat 12 of the best horses in the world."

A redistribution of purse money could benefit more than Midnight Bisou's camp, as fellow U.S. runners Mucho Gusto (fourth) and Tacitus (fifth) also finished in prize-winning positions. A disqualification of Maximum Security could also bump McKinzie, who ran 11th, into 10th and to a spot that would pay his connections as well unless the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia forgoes paying the first-place money at all.

Gary West, who co-owns Maximum Security, has since announced that Maximum Security underwent close examination by Dr. Larry Bramlage in Kentucky. No longterm ill effects were found with the colt, a son of New Year's Day who was recommended time off.

Upon his return to training, Maximum Security will go to Bob Baffert in California.