Racing Dudes Three Stars of the Week: Maximum Horse Power

The last big weekend of the year gave us plenty to talk about, including a sensational performance from a 3-year-old colt who locked up a year-end award. Read all about that horse, and two others, in our latest Three Stars of the Week: 

1. Maximum Security 

Leave no doubt! That’s what Maximum Security did last weekend in the Cigar Mile Handicap (G1). After breaking in front, he led the field with Spun to Run hounding him in second. At the top of the stretch, he was able to put that horse away with ease, and no other runner in the race could challenge him down the stretch. The final margin of victory was 3 1/2 lengths, but the race was never in doubt. The win undoubtedly makes him the Eclipse Champion for 3-Year-Old Male of the Year. It sounds like his next target will be the Pegasus World Cup (G1) at Gulfstream Park. 

2. Shotski 

The Remsen Stakes (G2) featured a solid field of juveniles looking to take their first step towards the Kentucky Derby (G1). In the end, it was Shotski who put his best foot forward, winning in wire-to-wire fashion by a 1/2-length. The colt was able to break quickest of all, leading to a perfect front-end journey. Turning for home, he had already kicked clear by several lengths, and he had just enough left in the tank to hold off the steadily-closing Ajaaweed. This victory stamps him as a Kentucky Derby contender, but he’ll have to kick the recent curse of horses who have struggled on the Derby Trail after winning this race. 

3. Thousand Words 

This year’s Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) only featured four horses, which was disappointing from a handicapping standpoint, but it gave us plenty of drama and a couple of strong performances. After stalking the early pace, Thousand Words looked as though he was going to kick away in the stretch, but he began to flatten out. That led to Anneau d’Or making a bold move on the outside, and presenting a huge danger as they approached the wire. Thousand Words was able to see him and re-rally in time, though, holding him off and pulling away at the end for a neck victory. Both of these horses should move forward in a strong way.