Kentucky Derby 65-1 Long Shot Declared Winner After Finisher Maximum Security Disqualified
LOUSIVILLE, Ky. (AP) – In a shocking result, first finisher Maximum Security was disqualified, allowing Country House – a 65-1 long shot to be declared the 2019 Kentucky Derby winner.
Maximum Security had appeared to win the 145th Derby by 1 3/4 lengths in the mud after taking control out of the final turn. The objection was filed and stewards took about 20 minutes reviewing the race from several angles before declaring Country House the winner.
Jockey Flavien Prat then celebrated as the finish was announced to the surprised crowd of 157,729.
Code of Honor was second, with Tacitus third.
Heavy rain had caused the main dirt track at Churchill Downs to be downgraded from fast to sloppy.
Bad weather that was expected arrived about three hours before post time. Rain fell harder as race time grew closer, making for a tough trek for the handlers and connections as they marched from the backside barn area around to the front stretch.
Maximum Security was the 4-1 favorite. The unbeaten colt earned the second of his four victories by 6 1/2 lengths in a muddy six-furlong race at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 24. He entered the Derby with 3 1/2-length win in the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 30.
(© Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
May 05, 2019 at 05:01AM
No comments: