DERBY WINNER: COUNTRY HOUSE
Maximum Security finished first in the Kentucky Derby but was disqualified for interference after a steward’s inquiry, which gave the victory to 65-1 long shot Country House.
Country House wins the Kentucky Derby after objection leads to disqualification of Maximum Security, who crossed the finish line first in the first jewel of the Triple Crown.
Maximum Security led all the way in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, only to become the first winner disqualified for interference in the race’s 145year history. After a long wait, long shot Country House was declared the winner
Country House, a 65-1 shot, finished second in the slop before an objection was raised, causing a lengthy delay while stewards repeatedly reviewed several angles of video footage, before he was elevated into the winner’s circle.
The stunning outcome gave Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott his first Derby victory at age
65. Jockey Flavien Prat, who originated the claim of foul, also won his first Derby.
The chestnut colt covered the muddy 1 1⁄ miles in 2:03.93 and
4 paid $132.40, $56.60 and $24.60. The $132.40 to win was the second-highest payout in Derby history.
Code of Honor returned $15.20 and $9.80 for second while Tacitus paid $5.60 for third.
The victory was only the
second in seven career starts for Country House. His initial win came by 3 1⁄
2 lengths at 1 1⁄ miles on Jan.
16
17 at Gulfstream Park.
It was a crushing turn of events for trainer Jason Servis and jockey Luis Saez, who already had begun celebrating what they thought were their first Derby victories.
Instead, Maximum Security was dropped to 17th of 19 horses. The colt was the 9-2 second choice in the wagering.
Prat claimed that Maximum Security ducked out in the final turn and forced several horses to steady.
War of Will came perilously close to clipping heels with Maximum Security, which could have caused a chain-reaction accident.
The stewards reviewed race footage for nearly 20 minutes while keeping the crowd of 150,729 in suspense, clutching their betting tickets. Trainers and jockeys involved stared at the closest video screen waiting for a result.
Code of Honor was moved up to second and Tacitus was third.
Improbable was fourth and Game Winner fifth, two of trainer Bob Baffert’s trio of entries.
DERBY STYLE
Funny how the threat of rain changes priorities for Kentucky Derby spectators.
For sure, scores of women wearing big, colorful hats dotted the landscape at Churchill Downs on Saturday. Men in straw hats sported brightly hued suits they bring out once a year, sipping the Bluegrass
State’s signature bourbon and puffing a cigar here and there.
And of course, there are mint juleps, a drink as iconic as those magnificent
Twin Spires.
Just as present were clear ponchos that ended up protecting those fancy threads when the sky eventually opened up three hours before the Derby post time. Some eschewed fashion for function when it came to footwear: Rubber boots appeared to be the accessory of choice, especially when navigating the slippery terrain of discarded wet, non-winning tickets.
“This is cramping my style,” said Sharon Rose, visiting from Cleveland on her 13th trip to the Derby. “I had cute pink shoes that matched my hat and look at me now in these silly rubber boots.”
Last year’s Derby was the rainiest in the race’s history, soaking fans and sending many home early. Morning showers opened this year’s edition before breaking for several overcast hours. Occasional sprinkles eventually returned and escalated into a steady if light drizzle.
At least it wasn’t like last May, memorable for being the wettest Derby ever. And it didn’t dampen the spirits of a large crowd enjoying the 145th Run For the Roses, where Improbable and Maximum Security became co-favorites in the 19-horse field.