Maximum Security to bypass Preakness Stakes, owner says

Gary West, who owns and bred Maximum Security with his wife, Mary, said Monday in an interview with NBC's TODAY Show that the colt will not run in the Preakness Stakes.

A son of New Year's Day, another of the West's horses, Maximum Security hit the wire 1 3/4 lengths clear of Country House but was disqualified to 17th in a unanimous decision by stewards after he veered out near the 5/16ths pole, judged to have impeded the progress of rivals.

“No, we’re not going to run in the Preakness," West told interviewers of the May 18 race at Pimlico Race Course.

Why?

“There’s no Triple Crown on the line for us," West added, "and there’s no reason to run a horse back in two weeks when you don’t have to.”

Maximum Security entered the Kentucky Derby unbeaten in four starts, going from a $16,000 claiming race on debut to Florida Derby (G1) winner before the first Saturday in May.

Trainer Jason Servis planned to ship the colt from Churchill Downs to New Jersey's Monmouth Park on Monday. With the Preakness off the table, next race plans have not been determined.

“Surprisingly, the day after was not too bad for me,” Servis said. “I don’t know if it was getting some satisfaction from the horse running the way he did but I felt a little better the day after.

“It’s like I told my wife – I don’t want to dwell on it every day. It’s a hard thing to get over but I have to move forward. I actually need to get back to work."

Country House, placed to first in the Derby, remains possible for the Preakness, which is expected to feature a large field.

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