After being disqualified in the Kentucky Derby, Maximum Security will not participate in the Preakness Stakes.
The Maximum Security owner said Monday he will not race the horse in the second Triple Crown jewel and will appeal the disqualification in the Derby.
Gary West told The Associated Press by phone that "there's really no need, if there's no chance to win the Triple Crown, to put the horse back on the track in two weeks."
The 1 1/8-mile (1.91-kilometre) Preakness was held May 18 at Pimlico Race Course. Although shorter than the Kentucky Derby, the race needs a quick turnaround. West did not want to overwhelm his horse with the Triple Crown out of the question.
Maximum Security is scheduled to leave Churchill Downs on Monday and arrive Tuesday at Monmouth Park, where trainer Jason Servis is based, updated the New Jersey racetrack.
"The horse will be better in the long run with the rest," West said. "He ran a very good and tough race on Saturday."
"Really, there are a lot of other Group I races the rest of the year for the 3-year-olds. So we'll just let him recover and target one of the other meets. I don't know what it will be, but it definitely won't be Preakness."
The first to finish Saturday's muddy race by 1 3/4 lengths, Maximum Security became the first Kentucky Derby winner to be disqualified for interference. After an objection from two riders, the stewards pointed out that the horse impeded the progress of several horses between the last two turns. Country House, the 65-1 favorite, moved into first place.
It is unknown if Country House will participate in the Preakness. The race would be his fourth start in eight weeks.
Coach Bill Mott has said there is no rush to decide if he will race in Baltimore. But he recognized the importance of the event, adding: "The challenge of the Triple Crown is that there are three races in a very short time, and for that you need a champion."
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