Maximum Security will return Sunday for first race since Kentucky Derby disqualification

Maximum Security, first across the finish line in the Kentucky Derby, but disqualified to 17th place because of a controversial interference ruling, is set to return to racing Sunday.

Maximum Security drew the No. 2 post position in a six-horse field for Sunday’s $150,000 Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J.

Trainer John Servis told the Daily Racing Form that bloodwork taken from Maximum Security came back fine Tuesday.

“Maybe I was over-reading things a little too much, trying to be overly cautious,” Servis said of having the bloodwork done. “He’s acting really good and training good and his bloodwork came back good. So maybe I was just over-reacting a little bit.”

More:Court gets request to toss Maximum Security lawsuit on Kentucky Derby DQ

Also:Maximum Security owner challenges 4 Derby contenders to $20 million rematch

Jockey Luis Saez will be back on Maximum Security, who is the 1-2 morning-line favorite for the Pegasus. Servis said he’s also aiming Maximum Security for the Grade 1 Haskell on July 20 at Monmouth and the Grade 1 Travers on Aug. 24 at Saratoga.

A son of New Year’s Day, Maximum Security was 4-for-4 in his career after winning the Florida Derby on March 30 and went off as the 9-2 second choice in the Kentucky Derby. With Saez riding, Maximum Security finished 1 3/4 lengths ahead of Country House at the finish line. But after a 22-minute review, stewards ruled Maximum Security caused interference for three other horses and disqualified him to 17th place. Country House was awarded the victory.

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @KentuckyDerbyCJ. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/jasonf.