Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
owner suggests rematch.
The fallout from the Kentucky Derby controversy has added a new chapter: a proposed rematch with a hefty purse.
Gary West, owner of Maximum Security, is now offering up to $20 million to the owners of Country House, War of Will, Long Range Toddy and Bodexpress if their horses finish ahead of his the next time they face off in a race this year, according to a press release from West’s spokesman. Country House won the Kentucky Derby earlier this month after Maximum Security was disqualified.
The horses could meet in the July 20 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, which is where Maximum Security will parade before fans on Saturday. However, West said the invitation is open to any race at any track with all of the horses or individually.
In the final Derby chart, War of Will was placed seventh, Bodexpress was placed 13th and Long Range Toddy was placed 16th.
West said his offer has no bearing on his horse’s disqualification and his challenge is to generate additional interest in the sport.
“I am doing this because I think it would be good for racing and a unique opportunity to bring more people into racing because of the elevated interest this would bring to the sport,” West said.
West would give $5 million apiece to each of the four horses if they finish ahead of Maximum Security. In return, West is asking owners to give him $5 million apiece if Maximum Security finishes ahead of their horse.
If all of the horses met in the same race, it would potentially be the most lucrative horse race in history, according to the release.
If any of the owners do not wish to put up $5 million for the challenge, he would extend the offer for $1.86 million instead, which was the winner’s share for the Derby.
West plans on donating Maximum Security’s winnings from the challenge to the Permanently Disabled Jockey’s Fund if his horse wins. Even if none of the other horse owners accept his challenge, West pledged to donate 10% of Maximum Security’s future lifetime earnings to the fund, which provides assistance to about 60 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic ontrack injuries.
“Most experts agree that Maximum Security was the best horse in the Kentucky Derby,” West said. “I don’t care to discuss the controversy surrounding the events of the race and the disqualification of my horse at this time, but I firmly believe I have the best 3-year-old in the country and I’m willing to put my money where my mouth is.”
Earlier this week, Maximum Security’s owners sued the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and its members, staff and stewards. The lawsuit calls the horse’s disqualification “bizarre and unconstitutional,” and seeks to have the decision reversed.
West blamed War of Will for causing the interference during the Derby. War of Will’s owner later claimed Maximum Security cut his horse off twice.