MAXIMUM SECURITY, the brilliant 3-year-old colt owned by Gary and Mary West, is confirmed for the Saudi Cup at Riyadh on ‘leap day’ Feb. 29.
Owner Gary West told Thoroughbred Daily News that his colt will not take part in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park, where the colt won his maiden, and instead be shipped to Saudi Arabia.
Maximum Security, a son of New Year’s Day, has only lost once in his career although he was disqualified from his win in the Kentucky Derby in May. He ended 2019 with win in the Cigar Mile, Bold Ruler and Haskell Invitational.
West spiced up his interview with TDN by showing is his displeasure with the purse cut of the Pegasus, which was a $12 million race, then $9 million last year. The Stronach group will also take 2% of the purse for the World Cup and Pegasus Turf from the race and donate it to Thoroughbred Aftercare.
“The Saudi race will be the next race for Max,” West said to TDN. “If a horse owner had a shot to win a $20-million race or a race for less than $3 million within a month, I am not sure why they would run for less.
“If The Stronach Group cares so much about horse aftercare, why in the world would they show their concern by reducing the value of their already enormously-reduced purse for the Pegasus by 2% at the expense of owners and try to tell the racing community that is a benefit to them?” he said.
Possible Pegasus World Cup Entries – Jan. 25 Gulfstream Park
List courtesy Horse Racing Nation
Omaha Beach
War Front
R. Mandella
2nd, 2019 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) V
War Story
Northern Afleet
E. Dobles
1st, 2019 Harlan’s Holiday (G3)
Seeking the Soul
Perfect Soul
D. Stewart
6th, 2019 Clark Stakes (G1)
Bravazo
Awesome Again
D. Lukas
8th, 2019 Clark Stakes (G1)
Tax
Arch
D. Gargan
2nd, 2019 Discovery Handicap (G3) View Video
Gronkowski
Lonhro
S. Ghadayer
3rd, 2019 The Entisar (LS) View Video
McKinzie
Street Sense
B. Baffert
2nd, 2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) View Video
Higher Power
Medaglia d’Oro
J. Sadler
3rd, 2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) View Video
Master Fencer
Just a Way
K. Tsunoda
1st, Chu Allow (11/30/2019-R11)
Tom’s d’Etat
Smart Strike
A. Stall, Jr.
1st, 2019 Clark Stakes (G1)
Math Wizard
Algorithms
S. Joseph, Jr.
5th, 2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) View Video
Gray Magician
Graydar
P. Miller
2nd, 2019 Smarty Jones (G3)
Bodexpress
Bodemeister
G. Delgado
3rd, 2019 Harlan’s Holiday (G3)
Mr Freeze
To Honor and Serve
D. Romans
3rd, 2019 Clark Stakes (G1)
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