Kentucky Derby Controversy: Why The First Place Winner Was Disqualified
Even horse racing is not exempt from controversy and replays. For the first time in the 145 years of the Kentucky Derby the first place finisher was disqualified. Maximum Security…
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 04: Country House #20, ridden by jockey Flavien Prat, War of Will #1, ridden by jockey Tyler Gaffalione , Maximum Security #7, ridden by jockey Luis Saez and Code of Honor #13, ridden by jockey John Velazquez fight for position in the final turn during the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 04, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. Country House #20 was declared the winner after a stewards review disqualified Maximum Security #7. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Even horse racing is not exempt from controversy and replays.
For the first time in the 145 years of the Kentucky Derby the first place finisher was disqualified.
Maximum Security came in first, but according to USA Today, "Maximum Security was taken down due to an incident coming around the turn when he veered out slightly, squeezing War of Will and causing Long Range Toddy to take back. Though jockey Luis Saez was able to straighten Maximum Security almost immediately coming off the turn, the racing stewards determined that the foul was egregious enough to take down a Derby winner — and a commanding one at that as Maximum Security had led every step.
Of course, not everything at the race was about the race: there's, as always, the Kentucky Derby fashion.
