Florida Derby to Maximum Security

Maximum Security, trained by Jason Servis, put in the maximum effort to run ten rivals off their feet in wire to wire fashion in the Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on Saturday.

Luis Saez hustled Maximum Security out of the gate and the pair had the lead in a flash. Favored Hidden Scroll broke with the leader on the rail but jockey Javier Castalleno seemed to wrangle him back and he let Hard Belle and Bodexpress chase the leader and pass him on the outside. Meanwhile, Maximum Security crossed over to the rail and Saez put him on auto-pilot through a 1/4 mile in 24.42 and a 1/2 in 48.98.

Bodexpress, still a maiden, ran absolutely huge, chasing the winner with determination for most of the race and he held second place over Code of Honor at odds of 70/1.

Code of Honor, third choice in the wagering, seemed settled and comfortable in the early stages but started to lose ground approaching the far turn. He had no pace to run into and no punch left for his move but he did run on well for third. Bourbon War made what looked like a serious move on the turn but he also flattened out while chasing slow fractions and could only manage fourth. Current filled out the superhighfive at ods of 20/1.

The son of New Years Day completed the 1-1/8 contest in 1:48.98 over a track listed as fast. Maximum Security debuted for $16,000 and remains undefeated in four career starts.