Opinion ID: 4561260
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Run for the Roses

Text: On May 4, 2019, Maximum Security crossed the finish line first in the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby. Despite this, the horse was not declared the official winner of the race. After the race concluded, but before the official race results were posted, two other jockeys lodged objections with race officials alleging interference by Maximum Security during the race. After considering the objections, Chief Steward Barbara Borden announced the ruling of the three stewards who judged the race. They determined that during the race, Maximum Security impeded the progress of other horses. Because of those infractions, the stewards unanimously decided to disqualify Maximum Security from the first-place finish. Maximum Security was placed seventeenth in the race, behind the lowest-placed horse whose progress had been impeded. Immediately after the race, Chief Steward Borden explained: We had a lengthy review of the race. We interviewed affected riders. We determined that the 7 horse [Maximum Security] drifted out and impacted the progress of Number 1 (War of Will), in turn, interfering with the 18 [Long Range Toddy] and 21 (Bodexpress). Those horses were all affected, we thought, by the interference. Therefore, we unanimously determined to disqualify Number 7 [Maximum Security] and place him behind the 18, the 18 being the lowest-placed horse that he bothered, which is our typical procedure. R. 1 at PageID 13. In their official report, the stewards further explained: After a thorough and lengthy review of the race replay and interviews with Saez, Prat and Court [the jockeys], the stewards determined that #7 “Maximum Security” (Saez) veered out into the path of #1 “War of Will” (Tyler Gaffalione) who was forced to check and, who in turn impeded #18 “Long Range Toddy” (Court) who came out into #21 “Bodexpress” (Chris Landeros) who had to check sharply. As #7 “Maximum Security” (Saez) continued to veer out, #18 “Long Range Toddy” (Court) was forced to check sharply, making contact with #20 No. 19-6333 West, et al. v. Ky. Horse Racing Comm’n, et al. Page 4 “Country House” (Prat). The winner, #7 “Maximum Security” (Saez) was disqualified and placed seventeenth, behind #18 “Long Range Toddy” (Court). R. 16-4 at PageID 373. Two days later, the Wests delivered a notice of appeal to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. In this notice, the Wests contended that the stewards’ decision to disqualify Maximum Security was arbitrary and capricious, did not comply with applicable regulations, and was not supported by substantial evidence. The Wests also sent a letter to the executive director of the Horse Racing Commission requesting a hearing before the full Commission. That same day, the Commission’s general counsel informed the Wests that “the stewards’ disqualification determination is not subject to appeal.” R. 1-1.