Haskell Still Next Major Target for Maximum Security

War of Will may be headed to the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1), but owner Gary West has reaffirmed that Maximum Security, who was disqualified from first in the May 4 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), will not be headed to New York for a rematch June 8 with the Preakness Stakes (G1) winner in the final leg of the Triple Crown.

West said the TVG.com Haskell Invitational (G1) at Monmouth Park remains the next major start for Maximum Security, adding the $150,000 TVG.com Pegasus Stakes going 1 1/16 miles at the 3-year-old's Monmouth base June 16 could be used as a prep for the July 20 Haskell.

"We are not looking at the Belmont because (trainer Jason Servis) says Maximum Security needs more time to fully recover," West said via email May 19. "We care a lot about our horses, and therefore we let them tell us when they are ready to run. Our ultimate goal is to give Maximum Security the opportunity to be 3-year-old champion, and everything we do will be to that end.

"The Haskell is our next primary goal, but he may have a prep before then, possibly in the Pegasus."

On May 17, West issued a challenge to the connections of War of Will; Country House, who was elevated from second to first in the Kentucky Derby; Long Range Toddy; and Bodexpress, who unseated his rider and ran off in the Preakness, offering $5 million to each horse if they finish ahead of his Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) winner the next time they face him this year. The conditions also include the owners of those horses must pay West $5 million or $1.86 million if their horse finishes behind Maximum Security, with the money donated to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

West said he has not heard from the connections of the four horses about his challenge.

Maximum Security bumped with Gary Barber's War of Will in the Kentucky Derby, creating a chain reaction that involved Long Range Toddy, Bodexpress, and Country House to different degrees. 

West said he will welcome a chance to face War of Will in the Haskell.

"We hope War of Will shows up in the Haskell because that would be an extremely high visibility race and a 'rematch' would be great for racing. Especially if War of Will's connections accept our offer," he said about facing the colt who rebounded from being placed seventh in the Kentucky Derby.

Trainer Mark Casse has not stated plans for War of Will beyond the Belmont but left the door open for the two horses at the center of the Kentucky Derby controversy to meet at some point down the road.

"Gary Barber is a sportsman," Casse said, "and I'm sure they'll meet again one day, but only under the right circumstances for the benefit of racing."

West also sent a congratulatory email to Casse following the Preakness.

"Between texts and emails, I had more than 400, and I always answer everybody," Casse said. "I've only answered about 250 so far, so I'm still working on that. And I got a very nice email from Gary West, which was very nice, congratulating Gary (Barber) and I."

Maximum Security, a homebred son of New Year's Day, has four wins in five starts after becoming the first horse in Kentucky Derby history to be disqualified from first following a foul claim.