OCEANPORT, N.J. (AP) — Maximum Security captured the US$1 million Haskell Invitational and, unlike the Kentucky Derby, survived a steward's inquiry Saturday night.
It capped a long day that included a major delay triggered by intense heat and the safety concerns for the horses and riders. It led to the cancellation of six races and the delay in six stakes, including the Haskell, the biggest race in Monmouth's meet.
When racing resumed around 6 p.m., the stakes went off without a hitch until the Haskell.
Maximum Security got to the finish line first, outlasting trainer Bob Baffert's Mucho Gusto by 1 1/4 lengths.
For a minute, it seemed a clear-cut win in the Grade I race. However, the stewards posted the inquiry sign. Videotape replays showed King for a Day had to check when Maximum Security and Mucho Gusto stormed past.
However, it was quickly dismissed, unlike the Derby when there was a 22-minute delay before Country House was elevated to the top spot and Maximum Security was dropped to 17th place. It was the first time a horse that crossed the finish line first in the Derby was disqualified.
Owners Gary and Mary West are still trying to overturn that decision in federal court in Kentucky.
This was one of the most bizarre days in the 52-year history of the Haskell and it was just another weird twist in the 3-year-old thoroughbred picture which has had one strange turn after another.
There was the Kentucky Derby disqualification. A rider less horse in the Preakness. Three different winners of the Triple Crown races.
The latest turn came Saturday as the extreme temperature and a heat index value reaching 107— caused track officials to a order a 4 1/2-hour delay after the running of the first two races on the 14-race card.
The Haskell went off at 8:11 p.m., 2 hours, 24 minutes after its scheduled start. The field was reduced to six horses when third-place Belmont States finisher Joevia scratch after the delay.
The 1 1/8-mile race was outstanding. King for a Day, who beat Maximum Security in the Pegasus here last month, and the four of the other five colts were closely bunched for the early going with only Everfast trailing.
Around the far turn, Maximum Security and jockey Luis Saez and Mucho Gusto and rider Joe Talamo charged around King for a Day, who was on the rail.
Maximum Security was in the middle lane with Mucho Gusto on the outside. As they turned for home, Maximum Security seemed to put King for a Day and jockey John Velazquez in tight quarters. The only question was whether King for a Day committed a foul or King for a Day ran out of room as he tried to charge up the rail.
For the second straight day, the National Weather Service posted an excessive heat warning advisory Saturday, with near steady temperatures in the lower 90s in Monmouth County. The heat index values reached 107. It dipped to 103 by the time racing resumed.
Animal rights activists protested outside the New Jersey Shore track before the first race was to run.
Dennis Drazin, chairman and chief executive of Darby Development, operators of Monmouth Park, said a group of track, state and independent veterinarians monitored the heat for days and felt it was safe to race.
"However, given the heightened concern from the public about the heat, and in the interest of the safety of the horses and jockeys, we've decided to proceed with an abundance of caution, to cancel the remaining non-stakes races and to delay the six stakes races," he said.
None of the horses who competed in the eight races run showed any sign of injury.
Drazin said he had been in contact with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. The governor left the final decision on whether to run to Drazin. He opted for caution in delaying the card, fearing harm to the horses and industry if there were a death.
With racing under pressure because of many horse deaths horses in California, most East coast tracks on Friday cancelled their Saturday cards, including Saratoga Race Course.
"It would have created additional momentum to the crisis that already exists because of California problems," Drazin said of a possible death of a horse. "We're on the cusp of a crisis in the industry."
A crowd of 37,186 attended last year's Haskell, and another big crowd was expected Saturday for Monmouth Park's biggest racing day. When the announcement came of cancelled races and the delayed stakes, fans streamed to the exits. The track announced an attendance of 25,173 but many left before the big races.
Drazin said no decision had been made on how to compensate fans who paid for admission and parking. The track cancelled its card planned for Sunday.
NBC was going to televise the Haskell live when it had a 5:47 p.m. post time, but it ended up streaming the race live on its digital platform.
Midnight Bisou won her fifth straight stakes this year, capturing the US$150,000 Molly Pitcher with Mike Smith riding.
