Maximum Security at Monmouth With Haskell in Sights

It's not surprising to hear Monmouth Park CEO and chairman Dennis Drazin gush about Gary and Mary West's Maximum Security.

After all, he is the house horse.

Hours after Maximum Security arrived at trainer Jason Servis' Monmouth barn, Drazin was happy to announce May 7 during the track's season-opening press conference that the first horse to be stripped of a Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) victory due to a racetrack foul would be sitting out the Triple Crown and targeting Monmouth's betfair.com Haskell Invitational (G1) July 20 on the Jersey Shore.

"Jason is our home guy. He's here at Monmouth. Maximum Security shipped in today. He's one of, if not the best, the best horses in America. He's here and he wants to run in the Haskell," Drazin said.

Gary West later confirmed that the 1 1/8-mile Haskell will be the 3-year-old's next main target. West said he is uncertain if his homebred son of New Year's Day will have a prep race prior to running in the early summer contest.

"He will not run in the Belmont or the Preakness," said West, whose previously undefeated colt was disqualified from first to 17th in the Kentucky Derby for interference at the top of the stretch. "We would rather concentrate on an opportunity to make him 3-year-old of the year than win one horse race. The Haskell is a target. He does good with plenty of time off so we may not run him before then. We won't know for a few more days until we see how he comes out of the race. He's tired now. He ran a mile and a quarter in the bog."

Drazin also said plans are in the works to have Maximum Security paraded on the racetrack or in the paddock so local fans can see the horse at the center of racing's biggest controversy in recent memory. A date for that event has not yet been determined.

"Not be controversial, yes, there was a disqualification," said Drazin, who owns horses that are stabled with Servis. "I'm not going to talk at length if it was the right or wrong thing, but I don't think anyone doesn't think Maximum Security was the best horse and would have won the race, regardless of any other factors. No other horse was going to beat him if they had to go around a second time."

As for the fanfare about the dawn of another meet at Monmouth, Drazin was also delighted to talk about the increased optimism sparked by the addition of sports betting and a $10 million purse subsidy from the state.

"What a difference a year makes," Drazin said. "When the horsemen (took over the track in 2012, I said better days were coming and Monmouth Park would be here forever, and I think the evidence for that has proven itself."

Monmouth's 61-day meet began May 4 with a crowd of 21,462 on hand and an all-sources handle of $2,304,106.

The Haskell, bumped up a week to July 20 to accommodate NBC TV coverage, heads a slate of 64 stakes—12 of them graded—worth $7.1 million.

Thanks to the purse subsidies, daily average purses will rise from about $330,000 to $500,000.

The added purse money and revenue from sports betting are also a life preserver for New Jersey's struggling breeding industry.

"Our maiden special weight races have risen from $36,000 to $45,000 with another 25% for New Jersey-breds," Drazin said. "New Jersey breeders had been disappointed with the number of stakes and their purses but this year we will have 11 New Jersey-bred stakes worth $75,000 each. I know the breeding industry is going to make a comeback here because what you have is an atmosphere where people can breed with confidence knowing that when horses hit the ground here there will be support for them at Monmouth Park."

The $10 million added to the purse account is in place for up to five years, but Drazin warned that Monmouth will need positive results this year to keep the subsidies in place.

"We must meet certain criteria. We will do it, but we have to be smart about enhancing racing here in New Jersey," Drazin said. "We will be required to show statistics that New Jersey-breds will be running here at Monmouth for more money, that's there's more wagering and the field size will be bigger."

Given the promising opening day attendance and a barn area that has nearly all of its 1,500 stalls filled for the first time in years, it looks like Monmouth is moving in the right direction toward those goals.

"It's the first time in many years that everyone showed up with this much optimism," said John Heims, Monmouth's director of racing/racing secretary. "The response from horsemen has been great. The barn area is full with some new outfits and I think everyone is happy about where the purses are and they have received it in a positive light. So far, it's so good."

Also at the luncheon, veteran trainer Tim Hills received the Virgil Buddy Raines Award for distinguished achievement.