The 2019 Kentucky Derby was a total embarrassment to the sport and will be remembered that way for the rest of time.
Because boy was that controversial ending a joke.
If you missed it, the favorite, Maximum Security, initially took home the win. But as the celebrations began, an objection went up on the board and a review began.
It turned out to be a very lengthy review played out live on national television with owners, trainers, and jockeys, left wondering what the call would be.
And then the stunning ruling came down – Maximum Security, the best horse in the race, was disqualified from the race and Country House, a 65-1 longshot who didn’t cross the finish line first, was ruled the winner.
All because it was ruled that Maximum Security interfered with a couple of horses, including Country House, on the final turn.
Now I’m no horse racing expert but just about everyone on the NBC broadcast seemed to think that this historic ruling wouldn’t be made.
The jockeys of the other horses didn’t even seem to object to it after the race.
All of which makes the decision, and the way it went down, an embarrassment to the sport, as fans at Churchill Downs booed loudly after it was made.
Maximum Security deserved to be named the winner but the review officials blew it.
And everyone was embarrressed for them:
