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 Kentucky Derby decision was not a good one. 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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 5, 2019
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.
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?”
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? Allowing “the best horse” to get away with serious interference creates dangerous situations, as we often see here. pic.twitter.com/zlwobAwHTK
— Kevin Blake (@kevinblake2011) May 5, 2019
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.
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.
