Max Security wins Haskell & survives an inquiry
Maximum Security captured the $1 million Haskell Invitational and, unlike the Kentucky Derby, survived a steward's inquiry Saturday night.
It capped a long day in Oceanport, N.J., 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.
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.
BROILING BALLPARKS
At Wrigley Field, misters in the back of the bleachers tried to cool the crowd. At Yankee Stadium, only one player took batting practice on the field. In Cleveland, rules were relaxed on what fans could bring into the park.
Even for a sport that promotes high heat, Saturday was a scorcher across the major leagues. The National Weather Service said it was part of “a dangerous heat wave” gripping much of the country.
From the Northeast through the Midwest, no player, manager or umpire was spared as temperatures soared near triple digits.
Hours before Baltimore played Boston at sweltering Camden Yards, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde pulled aside starting catcher Chance Sisco and issued a stiff directive.
“I told Chance,D`o not go outside until the game starts,“' Hyde said.
Sisco went all nine innings Friday night and was in the lineup again while backup Pedro Severino recovers from an illness.
“I told Chance, I don't want him hustling on and off the field. I want to see him walking,” Hyde said. “When you're a catcher in these type of games, it's not easy. After the eighth inning, his face was beet red.”
No relief in sight, either. The temperature was forecast to top 100 degrees for Sunday afternoon's series finale.
It also was 94 degrees in New York, the hottest for a Yankees game this season.
The Yankees set up supplemental hydration stadiums in all three decks and the bleachers, and made announcements over the public address system reminding fans to keep drinking water.
Chris Del Vecchio, 33, from Verona, N.J., and his pal Bruna Silva walked around the ballpark with bags of ice on their neck and shoulders.
“Sitting in the bleachers is where our seats are and we made it about two innings, they scored about six runs, so it kind of extended those innings and made it seem a little longer. But, it's pretty brutal out there,” Del Vecchio said.
Injured Yankees outfielder Cameron Maybin was the only player who took BP on the field. In the steamy conditions, Colorado's Tony Wolters had the bat accidentally slip from his hands on a swing and sail into the Yankees dugout.
“It was fine when we were walking on the grass, but as soon as you got to the plate it was like a cone of heat. It was awful,” Yankees catcher Austin Romine said.
NYCFC BEATS RAPIDS
Alexandru Mitrita scored in the 83rd minute and New York City FC beat the 10-man Colorado Rapids 2-1 in a game delayed by severe weather Saturday night.
Colorado (5-11-5) went down a man in the 33rd minute when Sebastian Anderson was sent off for a reckless tackle. In the sixth minute, Anderson finished Jonathan Lewis' cross to become the youngest Rapids player to score at 16 years, 11 months and 12 days.
Heber tied it in the 40th minute for NYCFC (8-3-8). Heber found a wide open space in the 6-yard box to chest trap Maxi Moralez's pass and volley it past goalkeeper Tim Howard.