kentucky derby disqualification

On Friday, federal judge Karen Caldwell dismissed the lawsuit filed by Gary and Mary West, owners of Maximum Security, regarding the colt’s historic disqualification from the 2019 Kentucky Derby. Kentucky stewards officially placed Maximum Security 17th, disqualifying him from first due to interference nearing the top of the stretch and making runner-up Country House the […]

The Thoroughbred Idea Foundation released a new white paper which outlines issues relative to stewarding, their reporting on incidents related to racing and the lack of transparency which accompanies such incidents, particularly in light of the oversights apparent in the process of demoting Maximum Security in the 2019 Kentucky Derby. “Make no mistake, the stewards […]

It’s often true that major change in horse racing is reactive more than proactive, that one watershed event prompts change that heretofore seemed less necessary. Some in American horse racing are left wondering whether this year’s Kentucky Derby will be that moment for stewarding in U.S. races. That was certainly the message from the International […]

Trainer Bill Mott told drf.com that the 2019 Kentucky Derby winner Country House will not race again this season, because he has been unhappy with the colt’s progress since being moved up via the historic disqualification of Maximum Security on the first Saturday in May. Country House was originally ruled out of the Preakness and the […]

Maximum Security had “another good day” on Friday, according to trainer Jason Servis, as the Grade 1-winning colt moves closer to a return to racing in Sunday’s TVG.com Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park – the horse’s first start since he crossed the finish line first in the Kentucky Derby on May 4. The $150,000 Pegasus […]

The second leg of what has turned out to be one notable Triple Crown series is in the books. Meanwhile, the drama continues off the track for the horse racing industry with lawsuits, betting challenges, legislative hearings and media scrutiny. In this edition of The Friday Show, Scott Jagow and Ray Paulick discuss War of […]

More than 18 million households tuned in to NBC Sports to watch the Kentucky Derby on May 4. According to Sports Media Watch, the A.C. Nielsen ratings actually grew in the minutes after the race to 18.5 million households as stewards deliberated whether or not to disqualify Maximum Security from his apparent win. Controversy followed […]

The controversy over this year’s Kentucky Derby disqualification refuses to die, even after the running of the second leg of the Triple Crown. In this edition of the PR Special, available here and on the sales grounds of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale in Maryland, Joe Nevills tells us the story behind the […]

Owner Gary West told bloodhorse.com that his Maximum Security is officially not under consideration for the 2019 Belmont Stakes. The disqualified first-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby, trained by John Servis, schooled in the paddock for his fans at Monmouth Park on Saturday. “We are not looking at the Belmont because (trainer Jason Servis) says Maximum […]

In an unprecedented move in thoroughbred racing, Gary West is offering up $20 million of his own money to the owners of Country House, War of Will, Long Range Toddy and Bodexpress if any of those horses finish ahead of Maximum Security the next time any of them race against him through Dec, 31, 2019. […]