Maximum Security had his first serious exercise since the Kentucky Derby on Wednesday at Monmouth Park when trainer Jason Servis two-minute-licked him and then let him gallop out 1 1/8 miles.

“He got beat up, cut up in the Derby,” Servis said. “Now, he’s starting to come back to himself.”

Servis said Maximum Security went the mile in almost exactly two minutes – 2:00.02 – with his final seven furlongs in 1:47. Servis said he galloped out 1 1/8 miles in 2:13 under exercise rider Edelberto Rivas.

Monmouth clockers credited Maximum Security with a half-mile breeze in 53.80 seconds, the same time he was given in his final workout prior to the Derby at the Palm Meadows Training Center in South Florida.

Maximum Security has crossed the finish line first in all five of his races, including the Florida Derby and the Kentucky Derby. He was disqualified from first to 17th at Churchill Downs following a 22-minute stewards’ review for veering out on the far turn. His owner-breeders, Gary and Mary West, are challenging the validity of the disqualification in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

Maximum Secuity’s jockey Luis Saez has been suspended 15 days by the Kentucky stewards for his ride in the Derby but he has appealed the suspension and continues to compete.

Following the Derby, Maximum Security was shipped to Monmouth Park. Servis said he trained him for one day and then realized the New Year’s Day colt needed more time to recover from the race and that he backed off him for a week.

“I’d like his color to be a little better but he’s doing better,” Servis said Wednesday. “I’ll pick it up with him a little bit next week.”

Servis is hoping to have a big year with Maximum Security and is contemplating stakes like the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational, Grade 1 Travers, and Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby.

“Those races are all on the radar,” Servis said.

The $150,000 Pegasus, a 1 1/16-mile stakes at Monmouth on June 16, has not been ruled out as a return race.

“He would have to tell me he’s ready but it is also on the radar,” Servis said.

Last Saturday at Monmouth, Maximum Security was paraded in the paddock between races for an enthusiastic crowd, who were pleased to get to see one of the sport’s most exciting horses in person.

 Photo courtesy of Equi-Photo