Maximum Security appeared to finish first at Saturday’s 145th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs, but Country House was declared the winner after jockey Flavien Prat lodged an objection.
Repeated replays showed Maximum Security drifting off the rail in the final bend and floating other rivals wide. Following a long stewards inquiry, Maximum Security was disqualified and Country House crowned the winner of the 2019 Kentucky Derby.
Maximum Security swept to the front under jockey Luis Saez and set splits of :22.31, :46.62, 1:12.50 and 1:38.63 down the backstretch and around the final turn. It was still anyone’s game heading into the lane but Maximum Security dug deep and repelled all comers to post a final time of 2:03.93 for 1 1/4 miles. Once the race was declared official, trainer Bill Mott earned his first Kentucky Derby winner.
Code of Honor was elevated to second, Tacitus moved up to third and Improbable took fourth. Game Winner took the fifth spot.
