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Maximum Security, War of Will Set to Face Off Again in Pennsylvania Derby

Author: Clint Goodman
Published: Tuesday September 17, 2019
The highly anticipated rematch between Maximum Security and War of Will is set to take place at Saturday's $1 million G1 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing. They were the two horses at the front of the controversy surrounding the disqualification during the Kentucky Derby. It will be the first time they get the opportunity to go against each other since then. 

The field will consist of seven 3-year-olds. Besides Maximum Security and War of Will, the impressive Mr. Money will also be running. He is hoping to upset the top two. 

Maximum Security

Gary and Mary West's Maximum Security is a Grade 1 winner, and he was only offered for $16,000 in his career debut. He made that debut in a maiden claimer at Gulfstream last December. It was there that the New Year's colt won by almost 10 lengths, and he has continued to impress since then. 

Maximum Security had his first big race at the G1 Florida Derby on March 30. It came after he easily won two optional claiming races. In the G1 Florida Derby, he led throughout the race. After winning by 3 1/2 lengths, Maximum Security continued on to become one of the major horses in the Kentucky Derby. 

After the bumping incident that took place at the top of the stretch during the Kentucky Derby, Maximum Security crossed the line to become the race winner. However, the Churchill stewards disqualified the horse for interference, crushing the excitement. If that wasn't enough, he was moved down to 17th place. 

Maximum Security is coming into the Pennsylvania Derby on Saturday after winning his second Grade 1 race of the year. That was the Haskell at Monmouth Park on July 20 with trainer Jason Servis. 

War of Will

Gary Barber's War of Will was the one who was greatly affected by the bumping incident with Maximum Security in the Kentucky Derby. Now, he will be able to face Maximum Security once again after four months. 

When War of Will was going into the Kentucky Derby, he had an impressive record during the spring. He won the G3 LeComte and the G2 Risen Star at the Fair Grounds. He then went on to the Louisiana Derby, where he struggled at the start and didn't perform as well as his team had hoped. 

After the Kentucky Derby, he won the Preakness with jockey Tyler Gaffalione. The 1 1/2-mile Belmont was a bit too long for him, and he performed sub-par in the G2 Jim Dandy on July 27 at Saratoga. He finished the race in fifth behind Tax and Tacitus. 

Mr. Money Could Spoil the Rivalry 

Mr. Money might threaten the two rivals and win the running. He is out of the Bret Calhoun barn and Allied Racing Stable. He is coming into the Pennsylvania Derby off four consecutive graded wins.

He has been on a good streak ever since Derby Day, where he won the G3 Pat Day Mile by more than five lengths. After that, he won the G3 Matt Win by 6 1/2 lengths and the G3 Indiana Derby by 2 1/2. On top of that, he also crossed the line first by six lengths in the G3 West Virginia Derby. 

Mr. Money then went on to the G1 Breeders Cup Juvenile straight off his maiden win. There he finished fourth at 41-1. 

It is shaping up to be an exciting day for the Pennsylvania Derby as two rivals finally get the chance to face off, and an outside threat could ruin the day for both of them.