Maximum Security galloped 1 1/8 miles on Wednesday at Monmouth Park, his bloodwork came back satisfactory late Tuesday, but a decision whether he will start in the $150,000 Pegasus on Sunday will not be made until Thursday when entries are taken, according to trainer Jason Servis.
“I’ll make a decision [Thursday],” Servis said. “I don’t want to tell everybody yes and then change my mind. The blood work was okay. I think he’s still a little light.
“It’s a tough decision. It really is. The bloodwork threw a wrench into everything because it was good. If it was bad, it would be easy.”
Maximum Security has not raced since finishing first and being disqualified to 17th in the Kentucky Derby for veering out on the far turn. The Derby was a tough race on Maximum Security, who came out of it with some cuts and bruises.
Servis’ major goals this summer for Maximum Security are the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth on July 20 and the Grade 1 Travers at Saratoga on Aug. 24.
“He’s fit,” Servis said. “It’s just that I am looking at three races – the Pegasus, the Haskell and then you have the Travers. The spacing is good. From the Kentucky Derby to this [the Pegasus] is six weeks. Then you get 34 days [until the Haskell] and then you get 35 days [until the Travers]. That’s a lot.”
The Pegasus, a 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds, is the local prep race for the Haskell.