Maximum Security to run again this year

ELMONT, N.Y. – While Maximum Security won’t make the Breeders’ Cup, his 3-year-old campaign is not complete.

Trainer Jason Servis said he would like to run Maximum Security in a Grade 1 race later this year, potentially the $750,000 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on Dec. 7 or the $500,000 Clark at Churchill Downs on Nov. 29. Servis said he would like to run him in a prep race before then, perhaps the Grade 3, $200,000 Bold Ruler Handicap at Belmont on Oct. 26.

“For me, being home and not having to ship would make the Cigar Mile better than the race at Churchill,” Servis said. “I’d like to get a prep in him somewhere before then.”

Maximum Security has not run since winning the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on July 20. He was scratched from the Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 21 due to a severe bout of colic that was diagnosed shortly after the horse had been entered in that race.

“That was a tough blow,” Servis said.

Servis said both he and owner Gary West decided that running in the Breeders’ Cup Classic off a 3 1/2-month layoff would not be fair to Maximum Security.

“If he had run in the Pennsylvania Derby we’d probably be there,” Servis said. “All parties involved said not to run if we’re only 80 percent.”

Servis said Maximum Security is galloping at Monmouth Park, but “he’s just a little light.”

“I’m trying to get some weight on him,” he said.

Maximum Security remains very much in the conversation for 3-year-old champion. He has Grade 1 wins in the Florida Derby and Haskell. He finished first in the Kentucky Derby, but was disqualified and placed 17th for interference. Horses he has beaten have come back to win Grade 1 races such as the Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup (Code of Honor) and Pennsylvania Derby (Math Wizard).