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Baffert Impressed by Maximum Security's Workout

Says champion colt looks as good as ever after Awesome Again (G1); Gamine also works.

Maximum Security (outside) breezes at Santa Anita Park Oct. 18

Maximum Security (outside) breezes at Santa Anita Park Oct. 18

Zoe Metz

The weather may have been foggy during the morning of Oct. 18 at Santa Anita Park, but trainer Bob Baffert's disposition was as bright and sunny as could be after watching Maximum Security  zip around the track.

The 4-year-old son of New Year's Day showed no ill effects from a loss in the Sept. 26 Awesome Again Stakes (G1) as he impressed his Hall of Fame trainer with a :59 4/5 five-furlong breeze under exercise rider Juan Ochoa in his first timed work since that setback.

"I think that was probably his best work since I've had him," Baffert said about the champion 3-year-old male of 2019 whose time was the third-fastest of 38 works at the distance. "I lost him for a bit in the fog, but he was really, really sharp. He did it on his own very willingly."

Owners Gary and Mary West, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith sent Maximum Security to Baffert in March after original trainer Jason Servis was indicted on federal race-doping charges. In three starts for Baffert, he won the San Diego Handicap (G2) and the TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) but was second in the Awesome Again by 4 1/2 lengths to Improbable , who is also trained by Baffert.

"I ran Maximum Security back too soon (in the Awesome Again), and he was struggling with the track that day, but it's better now," Baffert said about the winner of 10 of 13 starts. "Our thought was to run him back quick (in the Awesome Again) and then give him six weeks off before the (Nov. 7 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic, G1) just like Improbable. The six weeks will be really good for him."

Baffert has a powerful trio lined up for the Classic in Maximum Security, Improbable, and Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) winner Authentic . All three, along with the rest of Baffert's West Coast-based Breeders' Cup hopefuls, are scheduled to arrive in Kentucky Nov. 3 for the World Championships.

"All three of them are doing great," Baffert said about his Classic trio. "My rider who works them cannot separate them."

Baffert also sent out multiple grade 1-winning 3-year-old filly Gamine for a 1:00 five-furlong work through the fog. It was the fourth-fastest of 38 works at the distance.

The winner of the Longines Acorn Stakes (G1) and Longines Test Stakes (G1) for owner Michael Lund Petersen, the daughter of Into Mischief  is being pointed to the seven-furlong Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1). She is coming off a third-place finish in the Sept. 4 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).

"She ran in the super fog and I only saw the last 40 yards, but she's doing really well," Baffert said. "One turn is her game right now, but as she develops later on we'll get the two turns."