May 4, 2019; Louisville, KY, USA; Luis Saez aboard Mximum Security (7) reacts after crossing the finish line during the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2019
(Reuters) – Country House was declared the winner of the 145th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday when Maximum Security became the first horse in the history of the race to be disqualified after crossing the line first.
Country House’s team raised an objection to Maximum Security’s win, saying the 4-1 favorite’s wide turn heading into the stretch slowed down other horses on the sloppy track in rainy Louisville.
Code of Honor finished second and Tacitus was third.
The field was one of the most wide open in years after favorite Omaha Beach was scratched on Friday due to a breathing problem.
The 1-1/4 mile race, called the “fastest two minutes in sports,” featured the largest guaranteed purse of $3 million and played out before more than 150,000 fans that packed the grandstands and infield of Churchill Downs.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
