Maximum Security Joins Field for 2019 Pegasus Stakes

Horse Betting Online

Monmouth Park Press Release | OTB Writer

Maximum Security, first across the finish line in the 2019 Kentucky Derby on May 4, will make his return to racing in Sunday's Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park, trainer Jason Servis announced.

2019 Pegasus Stakes Odds & Entries

Race 10 at Monmouth Park on Sunday, June 16 - Post 5:00 PM

Entry Horse ML Odds Jockey Trainer
1 Last Judgment 6-1
121 Lbs
Todd Pletcher
2 Maximum Security 1-2 Luis Saez
123 Lbs
Jason Servis
3 King for a Day 4-1 Joe Bravo
123 Lbs
Todd Pletcher
4 Identifier 6-1 Paco Lopez
117 Lbs
Jorge Navarro
5 Direct Order 12-1 Nik Juarez
117 Lbs
Jason Servis
6 Caladan 15-1 Jeremy Rose
117 Lbs
Anthony Pecoraro

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 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. Maximum Security was made the 1-2 favorite in the morning line by Brad Thomas.

Maximum Security will start from post 2 in the Pegasus. Luis Saez will be back aboard.

The full field, in post position order, is Last Judgment, no rider, 6-1; Maximum Security; King for a Day, Joe Bravo, 4-1; Identifier, Paco Lopez, 6-1; Direct Order, Nik Juarez, 12-1; and Caladan, Jeremy Rose, 15-1.