MAXIMUM SECURITY GETS REDEMPTION IN THE HASKELL- BOUNCES BACK AFTER KENTUCKY DERBY TRAVESTY

MAXIMUM SECURITY had to avoid yet another inquiry, but he bounced back at Monmouth Park in New Jersey to capture the $1 million Haskell Stakes over a game Mucho Gusto. The race had to be put off four hours because of the sweltering heat in New Jersey and there had been some doubts that the whole card was going to be cancelled. This would of course have been a financial disaster for The New Jersey Racing Commission, but common sense prevailed and a truncated card did eventually take place.

By all accounts almost the entire large crowd stuck around to see the Haskell, and what they saw was a thrilling battle in the stretch between the first two finishers. Only six horses started in the race with Maximum Security going off as the generous 4-5 favorite and Mucho Gusto at 5-2. The winner was wide throughout the race and was always running about third under rider Luis Saez, with Joe Talamo onboard Mucho Gusto hovering close by. As they rounded the far turn King for a Day found himself in a tight spot on the inside and had to be held up momentarily which forced the inquiry after the finish line.

Luckily the stewards this time around used common sense and posted the no change sign fairly promptly. There was even a point in the stretch that Mucho Gusto actually headed the winner, but Maximum Security is so tough that he fought back to win by just over a length. Maximum Security had actually been stabled at Monmouth Park for a couple of months, and the local hero put on a big show for his increasing fan base.

Trainer Jason Servis who was cautiously optimistic before the race indicated that the colt will now be pointed at the Travers Stakes next month at Saratoga if he recovers well from his exertions. The win also gives Maximum Security an automatic berth into the Breeders Cup Classic in November.

Gary West, second from right, lead Maximum Security into the winner’s circle after he won the $1 million TVG.com Haskell Invitational Stakes