Maximum Security Arrives at Monmouth, Pointed to Haskell

Maximum Security Arrives at Monmouth, Pointed to Haskell
Maximum Security, the horse disqualified from the Kentucky Derby horse race, is led to a grooming station after being hot walked by Edelberto Rivas after the horse's arrival at its home barn at Monmouth Park Racetrack, in Oceanport, N.J., May 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

OCEANPORT, N.J.—A weary Maximum Security arrived on May 7 at Monmouth Park, where his trainer plans to race the colt in the $1 million Haskell Invitational in July.

The first Kentucky Derby winner disqualified for interference in the race’s 145-year history pulled into the Jersey shore track shortly before 6 a.m.

Maximum Security
Maximum Security, the horse disqualified from the Kentucky Derby horse race, is led to a grooming station after being hot walked by Edelberto Rivas after the horse’s arrival at its home barn at Monmouth Park Racetrack, in Oceanport, N.J., on May 7, 2019. (Julio Cortez/AP Photo)

The previously undefeated colt was taken to the barn of trainer Jason Servis. The Florida Derby winner was walked and then put in a stall to rest.

“He’s really tired,” said Matt Hartman, Servis’ assistant. “It’s been a long week.”

Servis was not there but is expected Wednesday or Thursday, the track said.

There were a few photographers, a videographer and a reporter outside the No. 2 barn, adorned with a big pink plant in front and hanging flower pots.

An appeal of the disqualification was filed on behalf of owners Gary and Mary West on Monday. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission denied it within hours, saying the stewards’ decision is not subject to appeal. West, however, said the matter is not settled.

In any case, the horse won’t run in the Preakness in Baltimore, the second leg of the Triple Crown. Neither will Kentucky Derby winner Country House, who was ruled out Tuesday, assistant trainer Riley Mott said.

The arrival of Maximum Security coincided with Monmouth Park’s annual news conference leading to the new season.

Dennis Drazin, the chief executive and chairman of Darby Development LLC, which operates the track, said Servis told him he wants Maximum Security to run in the Haskell, the track’s biggest race.

Drazin disagreed with the Derby disqualification.

“There was no other horse that was going to beat him, even if they ran around a second time,” said Drazin, who uses Servis as his trainer.

horse led to station
Maximum Security, the horse disqualified from the Kentucky Derby horse race, is led to a grooming station after being hot walked by Edelberto Rivas after the horse’s arrival at its home barn at Monmouth Park Racetrack, in Oceanport, N.J., on May 7, 2019. (Julio Cortez/AP Photo)

Not so, said trainer Kelly Breen, whose Ruler on Ice won the 2011 Belmont Stakes. He called the takedown the right move.

“I saw that the horse changed leads at the five-sixteenths pole and ran from about the one path to the five path and we were fortunate enough nothing happened drastically in the race,” he said. “I do believe they made the decision that needed to be made. Thankfully, nothing went wrong. It could have been devastating if something did go wrong.”

Trainer Chuck Spina, who has worked at Monmouth Park since 1971, was upset to see the win taken from Maximum Security and Servis, whom he has known for decades.

“He was much, much the best and what bugs me the most is if there was such a flagrant foul how come there wasn’t a steward’s inquiry as soon as they crossed the finish line,” Spina said. “If that jock (Flavien Prat) wasn’t smart and saw there was something going on at the head of the stretch and figured he could get pushed up, if he doesn’t claim foul, the official sign is going up.”

Jockey Joe Bravo, the leading rider at Monmouth Park 13 times, said his mind changed the more he watched the replays.

Right after the race, he felt Maximum Security would not be disqualified.

“I would hate to be in either one of those guys shoes (the jockeys), even the guy who got put up for the win is going to be sad about it. It’s really a tough, tough situation but after all is said and done, it’s probably the right call,” Bravo said.

By Tom Canavan

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