LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Maximum Security became the first winner disqualified for interference in the Kentucky Derby, leading to an agonizing wait and an eventual stunning reversal that made 65-1 shot Country House the winner Saturday.
Country House 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.
That gave Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott his first Derby victory at age 65.
“It’s bittersweet. You always want to win with a clean trip and have everybody recognize the horse as the very good horse and great athlete that he is,” Mott said. “Due to the disqualification, I think some of that is diminished.”
Jockey Flavien Prat, who originated the claim of foul, also won his first Derby.
“I’m kind of speechless right now,” Prat said, letting out a long sigh.
Country House paid $132.40 to win — the second-highest payout in the Derby’s 145-year history.
“Looking at the tote board there’s probably a lot of people that didn’t think we could win,” Mott said, “but that’s horse racing.”
Country House was dismissed as a long shot with a bad post on the far outside. It was only the chestnut colt’s second win in seven career starts and his first stakes victory.
Maybe this was one for his father: Lookin At Lucky got saddled with the dreaded No. 1 post in the 2010 Derby, where he got pinned to the rail and wound up sixth. He rebounded to win the Preakness two weeks later.
The disqualification was a crushing turn of events for Maximum Security trainer Jason Servis and jockey Luis Saez, who already had begun celebrating what they thought were their first Derby victories.
Instead, previously undefeated Maximum Security was dropped to 17th of 19 horses. Sent off as the 9-2 second choice, Maximum Security was placed behind all the horses that he bothered.
“I never put anybody in danger,” Saez said.
Servis backed up his jockey, saying: “He’s right. He straightened him up right away and I didn’t think it affects the outcome of the race.”
Prat claimed that Maximum Security ducked out in the final turn and forced several horses to steady, including Long Range Toddy. War of Will came perilously close to clipping heels with Maximum Security, which could have caused a chain-reaction accident.
“There were two horses in the race that lost all chance to win a Kentucky Derby,” Mott said. “They were in position at the time to hit the board. If what happened to us was the only thing they were looking at I don’t think you would have seen a disqualification.”
Mott said the incident was caused by Maximum Security’s action and not Saez’s riding tactics.
“I don’t think Luis Saez did anything intentionally,” the trainer said. “My heart actually aches for them a little bit. That’s the way it is. I’ve been on the other end of it, just not in the Kentucky Derby.”
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.
“I know the stewards had a very, very difficult decision,” Mott said. “I’m damn glad they put our number up.”
Code of Honor was moved up to second and Tacitus — also trained by Mott — was third.
Improbable was fourth and Game Winner fifth, two of trainer Bob Baffert’s trio of entries. His other horse, Roadster, was 15th.
The last claim of foul by a jockey in the Derby was unsuccessful. John Velazquez, aboard runner-up Invisible Ink in 2001, alleged interference at the quarter pole against Monarchos and Jorge Chavez, who crossed the finish line 4¾ lengths in front. The stewards didn’t change the result.
The only other disqualification in the Derby occurred long after the race in 1968. Dancer’s Image, the first-place finisher, tested positive for a prohibited medication, and Kentucky state racing officials ordered the purse money to be redistributed. Forward Pass got the winner’s share. A subsequent court challenge upheld the stewards’ decision.
Country House wore the garland of red roses, but it’s possible the situation doesn’t end here. There could be appeals to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission or the courts.
“That’s a nightmare. It’s a no-win situation for anybody involved,” said Mott, who spoke with Servis after the reversal. “I didn’t get a hint of that from him. He’s been around long enough, and I’m sure he watched the films well enough. He knows what happened.”
The surprising flip threw a few bettors into a frenzy, too. Some who had wagered on Country House to win immediately tossed away their tickets at the finish, only to then scramble to the ground at Churchill Downs, frantically searching for their betting slips.
Master Fencer, the first Japan-bred to run in the Derby, was sixth. War of Will was seventh, followed by Plus Que Parfait, Win Win Win, Cutting Humor, By My Standards and Vekoma.
Bodexpress finished 13th, followed by Tax, Roadster, Long Range Toddy, Maximum Security, Spinoff and Gray Magician.
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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.
But sunshine would’ve been perfect, if only to showcase those colorful splashes that make the Derby scene special.