Country House Wins 2019 Kentucky Derby as Shocking Dark Horse Amid Disqualification Controversy


Cover Photo: Getty Images
After a wild week leading up to the 2019 Kentucky Derby headlined the original betting favorite, Omaha Beach, getting scratched from Saturday's race, the 145th Run for the Roses' results certainly didn't disappoint.
Country House (30/1) was named the 2019 Kentucky Derby winner after Maximum Security was disqualified, making Maximum Security the first horse in history to cross the finish line first at the Kentucky Derby without also being named the official winner.
After an inquiry ruling, Country House is the official winner of the Kentucky Derby.
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 4, 2019
Who Won the Kentucky Derby?
Amid some of the poorest race conditions we've seen at Churchill Downs in some time, Maximum Security stormed out of the gates to cross the finish line first at Saturday's Kentucky Derby wire to wire with 8/1 odds, according to TVG. 5:54:09 pm/Horse Racing: 145th Kentucky Derby - Maximum Security crossed the line unofficially first
6:16:05 pm/Horse Racing: 145th Kentucky Derby - official result - Country House wins after inquiry
However, it was enormous underdog Country House at 30/1 odds who would walk away as the official winner following an extended objection review that disqualified Maximum Security for alleged contact at the right turn in Saturday's race.
After Maximum Security's disqualification, Code of Honor (12/1) placed second behind Country House (30/1), with Tacitus (8/1) finishing in third.
Here's a look at the payouts for the 2019 #KentuckyDerby.
— TVG (@TVG) May 4, 2019
Two more races to come from Churchill Downs! Catch them live on TVG. pic.twitter.com/mmVA9D18dy
Who Was the Favorite to Win the 2019 Kentucky Derby?
After Omaha Beach was scratched this Wednesday, Game Winner came into Saturday as the lone betting favorite to win the 2019 Kentucky Derby at 9/2 odds, according to TVG.
Behind Game Winner (9/2), Roadster and Improbable were tied for the second-best odds to win the Kentucky Derby at 5/1. Maximum Security was behind these two horses at 8/1 with the fourth-best odds.
BREAKING NEWS: Omaha Beach to scratch from #KyDerby after being diagnosed with entrapped epiglottis. pic.twitter.com/s0qIx6GT3L
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 1, 2019
Why Did Omaha Beach Get Scratched From the Kentucky Derby?
Omaha Beach was scratched from racing in Saturday's Kentucky Derby after trainers believed the horse was having trouble breathing before being diagnosed with an entrapped epiglottis.
2019 Preakness Stakes Date
Now that the 2019 Kentucky Derby is in the books, horse racing turns its attention to the Preakness Stakes on May 18, where Country House will likely continue the pursuit of a potential Triple Crown in Baltimore.
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