Maximum Security won’t run at Preakness Stakes due to appeal
After a stunning disqualification at the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, Maximum Security will not run at the Preakness after his owner vowed to appeal the stewards’ decision during an interview on NBC.
The horse racing world is still in shock after the dramatic ending to the 145th Kentucky Derby on Saturday, when Maximum Security was disqualified despite clearly winning the race. Owner Gary West gave an interview with NBC today where he announced that he would appeal the DQ and that Maximum Security would not run at the Preakness Stakes in two weeks.
During the interview, West said the following:
"“We were stunned, shocked, and in total disbelief. The appeal has to be filed within 48 hours so we’ll be filing that today.”"
It remains to be seen if Kentucky’s racing commission would be willing to overturn the stewards’ decision, which was to disqualify Maximum Security after he jumped lanes late in the race, interfering with several other contenders in the process. Maximum Security became the first winner in the history of the race to get disqualified for an on-track violation, although the initial victor was removed in 1968 after the horse failed a drug test.
The stewards also declined to answer any questions about the disqualification over the weekend, instead issuing a brief statement defending the decision.
Next. Here's why Maximum Security was DQed from the Derby. dark
The news that Maximum Security won’t run in the Preakness isn’t surprising since there is no upside for the horse or the owner without a Triple Crown on the line, but it is very disappointing for race fans. Maximum Security clearly ran the best race at Churchill Downs on Saturday, and a rematch at Pimlico on May 18 would have been a massive event for the sport.
Instead, racing fans will have to see if Country House can take a step closer to the Triple Crown against a smaller field in Maryland. Either way, the racing season will continue to be overshadowed by the drama from the DQ, which is unfortunate for all parties involved.