Maximum Security out of Pa. Derby, unlikely for Breeders' Cup

Maximum Security will be forced to scratch from Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx and will most likely miss the Breeders’ Cup as well after suffering from a severe case of colic and a displacement of the large colon, trainer Jason Servis said Tuesday.

On Monday afternoon, a few hours after returning to Monmouth Park from Parx, where he had shipped by van for a workout over the main track, Maximum Security was rushed to the Mid-Atlantic Equine Clinic in Ringoes, N.J., where he was diagnosed and treated by Dr. Janik Gasiorowski.

Servis said Maximum Security had “spasmodic colic with left displacement of the large colon,” according to the paperwork he was given by the clinic.

“His colon was being pinched off by his spleen. He wasn’t [producing] any bowel movements," Servis said.

Servis said that Maximum Security had fluid pumped from his stomach.

Servis said when he left his barn at around 11:30 a.m. Monday, Maximum Security seemed full of himself in his stall. Servis said he received a call from his day watchman at around 3:30 p.m. that Maximum Security seemed in distress.

“As soon as I saw him I could tell he was in trouble,” Servis said.

Maximum Security returned to Servis’s Monmouth Park from the clinic shortly after 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“He looks pretty wiped out to me,” Servis said by phone Tuesday afternoon.

Servis does not have a timetable for Maximum Security’s return to training. Owner Gary West told The Paulick Report on Monday that he planned to run Maximum Security as a 4-year-old in 2020.

While not totally ruling it out, Servis indicated that a start in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 2 is unlikely as he would not have time to get a proper prep race into Maximum Security. Given Maximum Security’s success at Gulfstream Park -- he went 4 for 4 there last winter including a victory in the Grade 1 Florida Derby -- the $9 million Pegasus on Jan. 25 could become the next major target.

“He won’t train until he’s feeling good [and] you could see some signs of life,” Servis said. “He went through a lot.”

This is another chapter in the saga of Maximum Security, who last December began his career winning a $16,000 claiming race and would win his next four starts including the Florida Derby. Maximum Security would cross the finish line first in the Kentucky Derby, but was disqualified for interference following a 22-minute deliberation by the Churchill Downs stewards, who never lit the inquiry sign.

The disqualification resulted in owners Gary and Mary West filing a lawsuit against the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Maximum Security was beaten by King for a Day in the $150,000 Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park on June 16 before making amends by winning the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational on July 20.

Maximum Security was the 9-5 morning-line favorite for the Pennsylvania Derby. His scratch leaves the race with a field of six topped by Preakness winner War of Will, beaten Kentucky Derby and Preakness favorite Improbable, and four-time Grade 3 stakes winner Mr. Money.