After all the talking Maximum Security returns to action at Monmouth

10.00 Monmouth Park, Sunday (BST)
TVG.com Pegasus Stakes (Grade 3) | 1m½f, 3yo | dirt

His name has rarely been out of the headlines over the past month but now Maximum Security gets the chance to show his stuff as he returns to the course for the first time since his controversial disqualification in the Kentucky Derby.

Connections opted to bypass the final two legs of the US Triple Crown after losing out in Kentucky, and Sunday's $150,000 contest is likely to be used as a springboard to the $1 million Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth on July 20.

Maximum Security became the first horse in history to be disqualified from winning the Kentucky Derby having been adjudged to have interfered with his rivals turning for home.

Gary West, who owns the three-year-old with his wife Mary, has appealed to the federal court in an attempt to get the decision overturned, and has also challenged those horses hampered by Maximum Security to a series of $5m match races.

Jason Servis, trainer of Maximum Security, has been cautious about when to return to the course and had the colt tested on Monday. However, he is happy to let him run.

He said: "He's going to run. The horse had a really good day today and I don't see a reason why we shouldn't run.

"Maybe I was over-reading things a little too much, trying to be overly cautious [by taking bloods]. He's in good form and training well. His blood came back fine."

Maximum Security is likely to be the long odds-on favourite for the six-runner contest, in which he will face stablemate Direct Order and two from the Todd Pletcher stable, including his chief rival King For A Day.

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