Maximum Security puts in work, might go in Pegasus Stakes

Trainer Jason Servis worked Maximum Security on Sunday at Monmouth Park, his second serious piece of exercise since the Kentucky Derby.

In typical Servis style, Maximum Security two-minute licked a mile and then galloped out an extra furlong. The Monmouth Park clockers did not credit him with an official workout.

On May 22, in his first work since the Derby, Maximum Security went through a similar exercise regimen, with clockers giving him a time of 53.80 seconds for the final four furlongs of his first mile.

Servis timed Maximum Security for the first mile Sunday in 1:58, with a one-furlong gallop-out of 2:10.

"He wasn’t blowing at all, and he seemed to cool out good," Servis said.

Maximum Security remains under consideration for the $150,000 Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth on June 16. The plan would then be to move on to the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational on July 20.

If Servis decides not to run Maximum Security in the Pegasus, he could train him up to the 1 1/8-mile Haskell.

"We’ll take it race by race, whether it’s the Pegasus or the Haskell," Servis said. "I probably won’t make a decision until his next breeze. We’ll probably send him out again in seven, eight, or nine days.”

Maximum Security is unbeaten in five career races, beginning with a $16,000 maiden-claiming victory at Gulfstream Park in December and including a 3 1/2-length victory in the Florida Derby.

He crossed the finish line first by 1 3/4 lengths in the Kentucky Derby but was disqualified to 17th for veering out on the far turn and bothering several horses, including eventual Preakness winner War of Will and Long Range Toddy, who finished 17th but was elevated to 16th.

Maximum Security's owners, Gary and Mary West, are fighting the disqualification in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky.