Maximum Security targeting Bold Ruler Handicap at Belmont

Maximum Security, who missed the Pennsylvania Derby due to a severe bout with colic, is pointing to the Grade 3, $200,000 Bold Ruler Handicap at Belmont Park on Oct. 26, trainer Jason Servis said Saturday.

The Bold Ruler will be Maximum Security’s first start since he won the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on July 20. Maximum Security was scratched out of the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 21 at Parx after becoming ill.

“He’s doing good,” Servis said. “I thought the seven-eighths off the layoff would be good. I got a barn [at Belmont] which makes sense too. He doesn’t have to win, but if things go well we can do the Cigar Mile or the Clark.

The Cigar Mile is at Aqueduct on Dec. 7. The Clark, a 1 1/8-mile race around two turns, is run at Churchill Downs on Nov. 29.

On Saturday, Maximum Security was credited with a half-mile workout in 52.80 seconds Saturday at Monmouth Park. Servis said he would most likely ship Maximum Security to Belmont next weekend.

Maximum Security was disqualified from first and placed 17th in the Kentucky Derby. After that, he finished second in the Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth after stumbling at the start. He bounced back to win the Haskell and was in steady training for the Pennsylvania Derby before he became sick.