2019 Eclipse Awards: Maximum Security

Maximum Security’s story seems almost made up – debuts for $16,000, for which anyone could have claimed him, goes on to finish first in the Kentucky Derby (only to earn the dubious distinction of being the first horse disqualified for an infraction in the race), has a severe medical emergency that keeps him out of a major race, yet returns in the fall to win twice.

That’s not a campaign. It’s a soap opera.

Even with the Derby setback, Maximum Security won three Grade 1 races – in the spring, summer, and fall – during a year in which he officially won six times in eight starts, with one second. He raced from January through December, a testament to his resilience – especially following an entrapment of the colon in September – and the horsemanship of his trainer, Jason Servis, to get him back to top form.

:: Full list of 2019 Eclipse Awards finalists, including profile stories

After making his debut at age 2, Maximum Security took advantage of having run in a maiden claimer to race twice in starter-allowance races in January and February at Gulfstream Park before he was ready for prime time in the Florida Derby. Using the sharp speed that has been his best weapon, Maximum Security led from start to finish in the Florida Derby to head to the Kentucky Derby undefeated and one of the race’s major contenders.

The decision to disqualify him will be debated far longer than the 22 minutes it took for the stewards to render their decision. Maximum Security crossed the wire first, but was ruled to have interfered with several rivals when he suddenly ducked out prior to the quarter pole. He was demoted to 17th place.

Maximum Security subsequently decamped to Monmouth Park, where the Haskell was his major summer goal. But in his prep for that race, the Pegasus, he broke poorly and was shockingly upset as the 1-20 favorite. It was the only time all year he did not cross the wire first.

He bounced back in the Haskell, on a sweltering day in New Jersey, but a little more than a month later missed the Pennsylvania Derby owing to his medical emergency. After he recovered, Maximum Security beat a strong group of older sprinters in the Bold Ruler, then turned in his finest performance yet in the Cigar Mile, earning a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 111, adding that Grade 1 win to prior ones in the Florida Derby and Haskell.

While the drama surrounding Maximum Security tended to dominate conversation, his campaign was stellar. Maximum Security twice raced against fellow finalist Code of Honor, and finished in front of him both times, in the Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby. He scored two victories against older runners, including in Grade 1 company. He earned Beyer figures of at least 100 in seven straight races, something no other 3-year-old came close to matching. And no other 3-year-old won more Grade 1 races.

Maximum Security – a colt by New Year’s Day out of the Anasheed mare Lil Indy – was bred and is owned by Gary and Mary West. He is remaining in training at age 4.