May 4, 2019: Country House wins Kentucky Derby after Maximum Security disqualified

Today is May 4, and the 145th Kentucky Derby was run on that date one year ago at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Horse racing could use a popularity boost in this country, and the 2019 race was in the news for weeks – albeit for all the wrong reasons as initial winner Maximum Security would be disqualified and second-place Country House crowned the champion of the first leg of the Triple Crown.

Maximum Security was clearly the best horse last year and crossed the finish line a length and a half ahead of Country House. However, that something was amiss was clear almost immediately when an objection was filed and officials began reviewing tape.

After about 10 minutes, officials ruled that on the final turn Maximum Security, ridden by jockey Luis Saez, moved out of his lane and bumped his hind right leg into War of Will, which forced Long Range Toddy jockey Jon Court to check his horse. Country House jockey Flavien Prat and Court both filed objections.

Maximum Security was disqualified and dropped to 17th place, and Country House was declared the winner. It was the first time ever the Kentucky Derby was decided on a disqualification on the day of the race. At 65/1 odds, Country House posted the second-biggest upset in Derby history, behind Donerail's victory at 91/1 in 1913. Country House paid $132.40. Code of Honor was bumped up to second and Tacitus third.

That would be the final-ever race for Country House, who won just two of seven career starts. An illness knocked him out of the Preakness, and then additional medical issues continued to plague the horse and he was retired.

The 2020 Kentucky Derby was supposed to be this past Saturday, but it was shifted to Sept. 5 because of the coronavirus pandemic. It will be the first time since 1945 that the Derby wasn't run on the first Saturday in May.