Maximum Security won't need surgery despite a 'big episode'

Dr. Janik Gasiorowski, who diagnosed Pennsylvania Derby (G1) favorite Maximum Security with what he called a “severe, acute bout of colic,” said Tuesday the 3-year-old colt will make a full recovery.

Gasiorowski examined Maximum Security on Monday at the Mid-Atlantic Equine Clinic in Ringoes, N.J., after trainer Jason Servis noticed the colt's discomfort following a workout earlier that morning.

“He got his colon displaced, which is actually very common in thoroughbred racehorses,” Gasiorowski told Tom Luicci, the Monmouth Park media manager who has in recent months handled publicity for team Maximum Security. “He just got his displaced tightly enough that it was extremely painful. He was sent to our clinic immediately, and we managed to get him to correct without doing surgery.”

Gasiorowski said the son of New Year’s Day, a Gary and Mary West homebred who won the Haskell invitational (G1) in his most-recent start, “went through a big episode, and he is going to need some time to recover.” The doctor estimated “a couple of weeks” off from training would have the colt ready to return.

Servis, speaking to award-winning journalist Tim Wilkin, told the Pennsylvania Derby notes team that Maximum Security "was doing great" until the colic scare. Now, colt is "wiped out" due to dehydration.

“I feel bad," Servis said. "It’s just unfortunate. The good thing is that he didn’t need surgery. It was a no-brainer (to not run in the Pennsylvania Derby). The Wests have always been about the horse. The race was a Grade 1, that was the most important thing. The money was secondary.”

“As far as his career goes, there are zero long-term ramifications from what he just went through,” Gasiorowski added.

“The reason horses going through this survive is because of the rapid response of the veterinary team at the track, the trainer’s involvement and the fact that Gary and Mary West were willing to act immediately by doing what is in the horse’s best interests. They’ve chosen not to race, and I think that is a wise decision that puts the horse first.”

Maximum Security is said to be resting back at Servis’ barn at Monmouth Park.

He had drawn post 7, the outside gate, in the 1 1/8-mile Pennsylvania Derby. Servis and company will hold out hope that a Breeders’ Cup try isn’t off the table to cap a campaign that included a victory in the Florida Derby (G1) and a controversial disqualification once the colt crossed the wire first in the Kentucky Derby.