Maximum Security owner blasts Churchill Downs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Gary West had a lot on his mind when he appeared on NBC’s “Today” show in the aftermath of his horse Maximum Security’s disqualification from the Kentucky Derby.
He was ready to file an appeal with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission over the results of the race, which gave the victory to Country House, a 65-1 long shot who crossed the finish line second Saturday. He was resolved to skip the Preakness Stakes, saying “there’s no Triple Crown on the line for us and there’s no reason to run a horse back in two weeks when you don’t have to.”
But mostly he was upset with Churchill Downs and the size of the iconic race’s 20-horse field. “You shouldn’t have 20 horses in the Kentucky Derby,” West said on the show Monday morning. “Churchill Downs, because they’re a greedy organization, has, rather than 14 like you have in the Kentucky Oaks, the Breeders’ Cup, every other race in America, just because they can make more money, they’re willing to risk horses’ lives and people’s lives to do that.”
The Kentucky Derby invites 20 horses to take part in the Run for the Roses every year. This weekend’s race featured a 19-horse field, as two scratched before Saturday and one more was added to the competition.
In a statement Monday, Churchill Downs President Kevin Flanery defended the DQ. “We understand that the Wests are disappointed that the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission stewards disqualified Maximum Security,” his statement said. “However, the stewards are responsible for regulating and enforcing the rules of racing in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and we respect and support their decision. The infraction committed by Maximum Security has nothing to do with the number of horses in the race, which has been a consistent number for many years, and there is no evidence to the contrary.”
Maximum Security was in first place for much of the race but veered to his right in the final turn, making contact with War of Will and impacting the progress of Long Range Toddy, stewards at the racetrack determined.
West acknowledged that he saw Maximum Security make contact with other horses as he came around the final turn of the race. When asked if the racing officials’ decision was correct in light of that move, he said “that is a way of looking at it” before continuing to say that the stewards who watched the race didn’t file an inquiry.
Jockeys Jon Court of Long Range Toddy and Flavien Prat of Country House filed an objection after the race. After a 22-minute review, Maximum Security was disqualified.
“I saw the horse move out, but every Kentucky Derby you could sit down two or three or four horses if you wanted to, because it’s like a rodeo out there,” West added.
A 14-horse field likely wouldn’t have included Country House, who wasn’t among the favorites entering the week.