The 65-1 long shot Country House won the Kentucky Derby Saturday in Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky, after race favorite Maximum Security was disqualified for impeding another horse on crossing the finish line.
Why it matters: It's the first time a stewards' inquiry has disqualified the first horse across the line in the race's 145-year history. Bettors who backed Maximum Security to win, place or show lost about $9 million, ESPN reports, citing TwinSpires.com — which said it'd refund win bets on the Jason Servis-trained horse, ridden by Luis Saez.
By the numbers: Churchill Downs said wagering on the Derby rose 10% to a record $165.5 million, exceeding the previous mark of $149.9 million set last year. The record includes $4.1 million of handle bets in Japan. It's the first year the race has been offered for wagering there. A $2 bet on the Bill Mott-trained Country House, ridden by jockey Flavien Prat, pays $132.40 — the second-highest payout in Derby history, AP notes.
- The largest win bet on Country House was $2,500, according to TwinSpires.
- 4-1 favorite Maximum Security was first across the Derby finish line by 1¾ lengths with a time of 2:03.93 over 1¼ miles, before being disqualified.
- In 6 starts, 3-year-old colt Country House recorded 1 win, 2 seconds and 1 third for $260,175 in total career earnings, according to NBC Sports.
Biggest betting flips for people who bet with @TwinSpires: One bettor had a $8,000 win bet on Maximum Security that would have been worth $44,000. Another bettor had a $2,500 win bet on Country House that paid $133,000!
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) May 5, 2019
What they're saying: Maximum Security co-owner Gary West told AP: "I think this is the most egregious disqualification in the history of horse racing, and not just because it’s our horse." He told the news agency he's considering the next step — including a possible appeal.
The big picture: In 1968, Dancer’s Image was disqualified days after winning the Derby for failing a drug test.
One guy who loved the @KentuckyDerby DQ was Rick Broth, whose Country House - Code of Honor spurred him to KDBC glory pic.twitter.com/GHUp0Unbsr
— TwinSpires.com (@TwinSpires) May 5, 2019
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