Trump Calls out Kentucky Derby Decision to Disqualify Winner

Trump Calls out Kentucky Derby Decision to Disqualify Winner
Flavien Prat on Country House (L) races against Luis Saez on Maximum Security, third from left, during the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on,May 4, 2019. John Minchillo/AP Photo
Jeremy Sandberg
Updated:

For the first time in the 145-year history of the Kentucky Derby, the winning horse was disqualified for interference. President Donald Trump did not agree with the stewards decision.

“The Kentucky Derby decision was not a good one,” Trump wrote on twitter. “It was a rough & tumble race on a wet and sloppy track, actually, a beautiful thing to watch. Only in these days of political correctness could such an overturn occur. The best horse did NOT win the Kentucky Derby—not even close!”

The horse, Maximum Security, was disqualified after a 22-minute debate between the three stewards, who eventually came to a unanimous decision to designate the second place horse, Country House, as the winner after reviewing the replay from different angles.

Maximum Security is walked off the track after being disqualified for the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on May 4, 2019. (Charlie Riedel/AP Photo)
Maximum Security is walked off the track after being disqualified for the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on May 4, 2019. Charlie Riedel/AP Photo
Flavien Prat rides Country House (L) to the finish line during the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on May 4, 2019. (Matt Slocum/AP Photo)
Flavien Prat rides Country House (L) to the finish line during the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on May 4, 2019. Matt Slocum/AP Photo

Horse racing journalist and equestrian Kevin Blake also took to twitter to voice his opinion: “Tough decision in the Kentucky Derby, but would it be as disputed if the incident had led to War Of Will falling and causing carnage?”

In an interview with the Associated Press, the owner of Maximum Security, Gary West, said he may pursue an appeal.

“I think this is the most egregious disqualification in the history of horse racing, and not just because it’s our horse,” said West.

Flavien Prat celebrates after riding Country House to victory during the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on May 4, 2019. (John Minchillo/AP Photo)
Flavien Prat celebrates after riding Country House to victory during the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on May 4, 2019. John Minchillo/AP Photo

According to the Kentucky Derby website, the first Derby winner to be disqualified was in 1968 for testing positive for illegal medication following the race.

This was the first disqualification for interference.

Jeremy Sandberg
Jeremy Sandberg
reporter
Jeremy Sandberg is a New York based reporter originally from British Columbia, Canada. He focuses on Wall Street and other business news.
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