Maximum Security has been defeated in his first start since being disqualified as the winner of the Kentucky Derby.
The colt lined up at Monmouth Park in New Jersey on Sunday (Monday AEST) since the overwhelming favourite but was defeated by King For A Day.
He stumbled slightly in the start but got assuming control to win by a length with King For A Day stalking him.
“I feel the next race will probably be better,” Maximum Security’s trainer Jason Servis said.
“We needed to find that out of the way. I was happy to get it out of the way even though he got beat.”
It marked the first time Maximum Security was beaten in six starts, and the stumble might have been the difference.
“It was a tough week,” Servis, who had debated whether to run Maximum Security because he wasn’t convinced he was prepared, said.
“He was feeling pretty good this morning. He jumped and kicking. However, the stumble hurt us a lot.”
King For A Day was the favorite after his win in the Sir Barton in Pimlico on the Preakness undercard.
Founded by Mary and Gary West, Maximum Security ended 1-3/4 lengths in front of Country House in the Kentucky Derby but was disqualified by Churchill Downs stewards for interference to eventual Preakness winner Battle of Will.
The Wests are challenging the Kentucky Derby disqualification in federal court.
Maximum Security is next expected to run in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on July 20.
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