[ad_1]
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Maximum Security co-owner Gary West described the disqualification of his horse's victory in the Kentucky Derby as "blatant" by race stewards.
"I think it's the most blatant disqualification from the history of horse racing, and not just because it's our horse," West told the Associated Press. phone on Saturday night.
A few hours earlier, Maximum Security seemed to confirm its undefeated record with a ½-long win over the slop over Country House in the Kentucky Derby. The victory was canceled 22 minutes later with a staggering decision by the stewards to disqualify the second choice of 9-2 due to interference.
Advertisement – The story continues below
The Country House finalist, a 65-1 distance shooter, was elevated to the circle of winners to the astonishment of the Maximum Security team, who insisted that the horse did not cut its competitors.
West said his team was exploring options for appeal, starting with the stewards. The owner said the stewards had told him that he could attend a replay of the incident on Thursday.
Barbara Borden, chief steward of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission's Horse Racing Commission, said runners at Long Range Toddy and Country House had protested against maximum security for interference.
"We had a long review of the race," Borden said. "We interviewed the riders involved, determined that (maximum safety) was deflating and affected the progress of War of Will, interfering in turn with the 18 and 21 year olds, all of whom were affected by the interference. "
Maximum Security was dropped on 17 horses out of 19, placed behind all the horses, it was determined that it was bothered.
Borden did not answer questions and came back from the briefing to the shouts of reporters on the lack of transparency. West said that there was not a lot of jockey, Luis Saez, who could do to control maximum safety on a sloppy track.
"When you're tired of your legs, you're not going to run all the time," he says. "No more horses."
Saez says, "I have never put anyone in danger."
Coach Jason Servis agreed with the jockey immediately afterwards and added: "He immediately straightened it and I did not think it would affect the outcome of the race."
The stewards were not in agreement and ended up disqualifying the first Derby winner for interference. The final objection in the Derby was filed in 2001 by jockey John Velasquez, who claimed that winner Monarchos and jockey Jorge Chavez had interfered. The commissioners did not support the objection.
This time, they did it.
The controversial arrival crowned a weekend rich in events at Churchill Downs in two of the biggest sports races.
On Friday, Kentucky Oaks for the fillies began with a frightening spill from Positive Spirit who dropped rider Manny Franco. Neither the horse nor the rider were injured and both left the track. Serengeti Empress won the race on his first start since arriving at the beginning of March at Fair Grounds with an external bleed.
The incidents come shortly after the industry adopted a series of drugs and safety rules after the death of 23 horses over the past three months in Santa Anita, California.
For maximum safety, the disappointing turnaround ruined what appeared to be his performance after a 4-0 win.
The son of New Year's Day and Lil Indy of Anasheed had just won a half-length victory at the Florida Derby Grade 1 on March 30, which established him as the only undefeated horse in the Derby.
For a brief moment, Maximum Security and its team seemed to win before the long wait and disqualification, which might not be the last step.
"If we can not use the stewards," said West, "our other options are the auto racing commission.If that does not work, we could resort to legal options …. We did not see what they saw. "
[ad_2]
Source link