Kentucky Derby “Winner” Maximum Security 1-2 Morning-Line Favorite for Pegasus Stakes

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Maximum Security, first across the finish line in the Kentucky Derby on May 4, will make his return to racing in Sunday’s TVG.com Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park, trainer Jason Servis announced today.

The $150,000 Pegasus Stakes, for 3-year-olds at a mile and a sixteenth, is the last local prep race for the $1 million TVG.com Haskell Invitational on July 20.

“He’s going to run,” Servis said of his Grade 1 winning colt. “The horse had a really good day today and I don’t see a reason why we shouldn’t run.”

Owned by Gary and Mary West, Maximum Security has finished first in all five of his lifetime starts. He became the first Kentucky Derby winner to be disqualified after his 1¾-length victory over Country House, with the Churchill Downs stewards placing him 17th for interference.

The Kentucky-bred son of New Year’s Day-Lil Indy by Anasheed has been stabled at Monmouth Park since May 7.

Servis had been on the fence recently regarding Maximum Security’s return to racing, and had blood drawn on Monday as a precautionary measure.

“Maybe I was over-reading things a little too much, trying to be overly cautious,” Servis said. “He’s acting really good and training good and his bloodwork came back good.

“So maybe I just over-reacted a little bit.”

The Pegasus Stakes attracted a field of six, with Servis also entering Direct Order. Trainer Todd Pletcher has entered Sir Barton winner King for a Day and Last Judgment.

The field for the 38th running of the Pegasus Stakes: