Cedillo gets mount on ‘Max’

DEL MAR, Calif. – Abel Cedillo has been named as replacement rider for Maximum Security, who will make his California debut and first start for trainer Bob Baffert in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap on Saturday at Del Mar.

“It’s a one-shot deal,” Baffert said regarding the jockey assignment.

Maximum Security’s regular rider, Luis Saez, is on the sidelines after testing positive for coronavirus. Baffert said Saez would regain the mount on Maximum Security. Meanwhile, the trainer is confident in Cedillo.

“I’ve been using him, I’ve been having luck with him,” Baffert said. “I think he’ll fit the horse; he’s a strong rider. I don’t think [Maximum Security] is going to be difficult.”

Baffert and Cedillo are 4 for 14 together, including a Grade 2 win by Fighting Mad in the Santa Maria on May 31 at Santa Anita. Since relocating from Northern California last summer, the 31-year-old Cedillo has emerged as one of Southern California’s top jockeys. He was the second-leading rider during the long Santa Anita meet, behind Flavien Prat.

Cedillo might have ridden Sharp Samurai in the San Diego, but that horse is unlikely to start. Although trainer Mark Glatt looks forward to trying Sharp Samurai on dirt based on impressive maintrack workouts, Glatt is cold on the idea of experimenting against the likes of Maximum Security.

“If he wasn’t in there, I’d run [Sharp Samurai] on dirt, that’s for sure,” Glatt said Sunday morning. He will consider a surface switch at an appropriate time, “just maybe not against the best horse in the world.”

Sharp Samurai is nominated to the Grade 2 Eddie Read, a turf race on Sunday.

The San Diego is race 10 on Saturday. The field, from the rail out, is: Higher Power, Flavien Prat, 122; Ax Man, J.C. Diaz, 118; Midcourt, Juan Hernandez, 122; Dark Vader, Umberto Rispoli, 118; Maximum Security, Cedillo, 127; Combatant, Drayden Van Dyke, 121; and Sharp Samurai, no rider, 119.

Hernandez replaces coronavirus-positive Victor Espinoza on Midcourt.

Maximum Security crossed the wire first in 9 of 10 starts, including the 2019 Kentucky Derby, the race in which he was disqualified for interference and placed 17th. Jason Servis trained Maximum Security throughout his career, including for his most recent start, a victory in the $20 million Saudi Cup in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 29.

In early March, federal prosecutors indicted Servis for administering illegal medication to horses. When his stable dispersed, Maximum Security was turned out in Kentucky before transferring to Baffert in California. Maximum Security commenced a workout pattern for Baffert in early June and posted his final work Saturday at Del Mar, five furlongs in 59.60 seconds.