Impressive Improbable denies Baffert stablemate Maximum Security

Bob Baffert's hopes of bagging another Breeders' Cup Classic were boosted at Santa Anita in the Awesome Again Stakes on Saturday, but not necessarily in the way the legendary trainer might have anticipated as Improbable produced a performance some thought might have been unlikely to down odds-on stablemate Maximum Security.

Demoted from first place after interference in last year's Kentucky Derby, Maximum Security won the Saudi Cup - the world's richest race - at Riyadh in February, but soon after left the yard of Jason Servis, who is among 27 individuals facing federal charges in the States as part of an alleged widespread doping scheme.

The four-year-old has continued to flourish since joining Baffert, winning twice at Del Mar, including the Grade 1 Pacific Classic last time.

However, he had no answer to his fellow Baffert inmate in the Awesome Again, which Marco Botti won with Gitano Hernando when it was the Goodwood Stakes in 2009.

Sent off the 1-2 favourite, Maximum Security, who is now part-owned by the Coolmore partners, tracked Take The One O One under Luis Saez, but came under pressure three out, just as Improbable was conjuring a run for Drayden van Dyke which seemed just that.

The pair, settled in last for much of the race, made rapid headway entering the final turn and flew home for a commanding four-and-a-half-length victory.

Improbable draws away from Maximum Security (pink and black silks)Credit: Benoit Photo

A high-class type at his best, Improbable has not always been the most reliable, but was capturing his third top-tier triumph of 2020 after the Hollywood Gold Cup and Whitney.

He had been as big as 14-1 with British and Irish bookmakers for the Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland on November 7, but is now 4-1 favourite with Ladbrokes, Betfair Sportsbook and Paddy Power, with the last-named firm pushing Maximum Security out to 8-1 (from 9-2).

Hope for him is not lost, insisted Baffert.

"I knew I was coming here with two really good horses," said the 67-year-old, now a six-time winner of the race most recently won by Accelerate (2018) and Mucho Macho Man (2013) before they followed up in the Classic.

"Maximum Security was in that scrum and they were really running up close. I saw Drayden, he knew what was happening, so he just sat back. He rode a great race, he knew what was going on, he took his time, rode him with patience.

"He's had good luck with this horse. He loves this track. He seems to be better in the gate here; that's why we ran him here."

Baffert, whose three Breeders' Cup Classic successes are more than any other trainer, added: "I hate to see my horses have to beat the other horse but Max ran gallantly. He fended off the speed but the next one is the big one, but today it was all about Improbable."

The Hall of Fame trainer had also hoped to strike in Santa Anita's Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes, which is named after his 2015 Triple Crown hero.

However, 11-10 favourite Spielberg did not read the script and could manage only third behind Get Her Number.

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