Might be time to let it go.
Maximum Security had an incredible year and gave his connections the ride of a lifetime.
He started out his career on 12/20/18 in the Maiden Claiming ranks in a race that may well now be regarded as a G2.
Even with his romp in the next, they needed another before entering him in the G1 Florida Derby to "take their shot". Many still doubted him, and he rolled in that one to boot, and thus onto the Kentucky Derby.
He ran another monster in the Derby, but missteps were had and we can all argue about it till we are blue in the face. The stewards had to make a call.
In the end, I think it ended up being better for Max, because he obviously wasn't in any shape to continue upon the Triple Crown trail and they took the needed time off. Heck, even with the time off, he was short in the Pegasus at Monmouth in June. He then recouped, and showed his true self in the Haskell again.
And then another setback. Colic. That is nothing to laugh about, and can often put these great animals down. Max was lucky to recover from what I can read, but nonetheless recovered. His next out was a huge question mark, but he rolled along fine and kept to the task to grind out a win. But it wasn't the romping Max we all grew to admire and love.
And now today? With an immense amount of pressure of whether he had been passed by a fellow 3YO, and whether he could fend off elders as well? He was back to the real Max again, and strutted maybe his best stuff yet.
An amazing year with ups and downs and everything in-between. Everybody should be happy how he ran today, not fretting about what could of been or any kind of payback.
Maximum Security is the best 3YO of 2019. 2020 looks promising.