Gary West, owner of disqualified Kentucky Derby participant Maximum Security, may have to take his case to court.
He filed an appeal with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission on Monday after his horse lost out on the Derby winnings due to an interference ruling, the first time in the 145-year history of the event that the winning horse was DQ’d. West’s appeal was denied by the racing commission on the same day.
That leaves him looking to the legal system for backup. He hasn’t said that he’s going to sue, but did hint at it in an interview on Monday before his appeal was denied.
Bob Heleringer, an attorney in Kentucky with expertise in equine law, says West has the right to due process, but judges typically side with racing commissions because they are the experts in the sport.
