LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The second longest shot in the history of the Kentucky Derby won in shocking fashion on Saturday -- Country House, at 65-1 odds, wins after an objection that took a win away from favorite Maximum Security.
Country House paid $132.40 for the win on a $2 bet.
Maximum Security had appeared to win the 2019 Kentucky Derby. He had been four for four in recent races and appeared to win again -- taking the race wire to wire.
But a foul was raised by objection against Maximum Security. It was under review for roughly 20 minutes. but there had never been a disqualification from first in the history of the Kentucky Derby. Until now.
You can read more about how Country House won a surprising and controversial victory at the 145th Kentucky Derby here.
"If this was a maiden claimer (race) on a weekday the winner would come down," Country Horse trainer Bill Mott said on NBC while the review is underway.
In other words, Mott, a Hall of Fame trainer, suggested that the steward's review committee of three may not want to change the winner result because its the Derby. But he was wrong. The decision was reversed after long moments of tension and quiet amid the crowd and Country Horse was declared the winner.
But Maximum Security jockey Luis Saez didn't think his horse's slide to the right impacted the finish.
Maximum Security trainer John Servis said he was concerned the pace was too quick for the horse early on but that he steadied and held off contenders down the stretch.
*ORIGINAL STORY
We're live at the Kentucky Derby 2019 today with winner results and live updates on the biggest annual event in horse racing. The favorite has won the Run for the Roses the past six years but some prognosticators aren't sure that will happen this time due in part to weather conditions.
Look for updates here below from Churchill Downs at the Kentucky Derby throughout the afternoon and into the race this evening. Today's favorite Maximum Security, at 9/2 odds, has run well on an off-track before.
Rain has been falling in the Louisville area Saturday morning and the track is expected to run at muddy or sloppy conditions. The latest forecast shows the rain may subside by race time, however.
*UPDATES*
--Take note of longshot Bodexpress. The horse only gets to run in the Derby because early favorite Omaha Beach was withdrawn. At 70-1 odds, the horse is known as a "brat" with behavior issues before races. However, the horse is calm strolling to the post position.
--We've got wet conditions on the track for the Kentucky Derby. From the press room: "That track is off and off in a big way." In fact, it's now official: the track has been downgraded to sloppy.
--At 35 minutes to post time for the Kentucky Derby, Maximum Security is the favorite at 4 to 1 odds. The horse has a good record in off-track conditions. He won in Florida on a slow track in off conditions and he is getting that same benefit here with rain falling.
--At 5:50 p.m. ET the rain is continuing at Churchill Downs and much of the grandstand crowd has headed for shelter with still an hour before the Kentucky Derby. Track conditions will be impacted. But unless there is lightning, the horses will Run for the Roses at 6:50 p.m. ET.
What's the exact starting time of the Kentucky Derby today? That's a question many race fans are asking today since NBC is providing five hours of coverage. The network is showing featured undercard races that build up to the Derby. Today's 145th Run for the Roses post time is at exactly 6:50 p.m. Eastern Time.
--Looking for some betting tips today? Here are some expert predictions.
4 p.m. ET weather update
Light rain is falling at Churchill Downs and some heavy rain is near Churchill Downs, though the undercard races mostly experienced a fast track with dry conditions under cloudy skies. Rain, some heavy, is forecast to move into the Louisville area within the next hour or two. There's now a 70 percent chance of rain at Derby post time (6:50 p.m. ET) but the current radar shows that it may ease up in the next two hours.
Here are the latest odds late Saturday morning.
Post Position / Horse / Trainer, Jockey / Latest Updated Odds
1. War of Will (Casse/Gaffalione) | 17-1
2. Tax (Gargen/Alvarado) | 35-1
3. By My Standards (Calhoun/Saez) | 16-1
4. Gray Magician (Miller/VanDyke) | 31-1
5. Improbable (Baffert/Ortiz Jr.) | 5-1
6. Vekoma (Weaver/JCastellano) | 22-1
7. Maximum Security (Servis/Saez) | 9-2
8. Tacitus (Mott/Ortiz) | 5-1
9. Plus Que Parfait (Walsh/Santana Jr.) | 55-1
10. Cutting Humor (Pletcher/Smith) 24-1
13. Code of Honor (McGaughey III/Velasquez) 13-1
14. Win Win Win (Trombetta/Pimentel) 15-1
15. Master Fencer (Tsunoda/Leparoux) 52-1
16. Game Winner (Baffert/Rosario) 9/2 | 6-1
17. Roadster (Baffert/Geroux) 10-1
18. Long Range Toddy (Asmussen/Court) 49-1
19. Spinoff (Pletcher/Franco) 51-1
20. Country House (Mott/Prat) 62-1
21. Bodexpress (Delgado/Landeros) 99-1
You can mark this page and check back close to Kentucky Derby 2019 race time today for pertinent updates before they horses are out of the gate. Post time is 6:50 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, May 4, 2019. NBC is the TV channel broadcasting the race and you can watch online streaming at NBCSports.com.
When early favorite Omaha Beach, at 4-1 odds, was withdrawn from the race due to a medical condition, the field opened up, throwing race handicappers into different directions.
If the conditions are sloppy at race time, today's favorite, Maximum Security, which runs from the No. 8 post position at 9/2 odds, has already proven it can run well on an off-track. Maximum Security won at Gulfstream Park in January 2019 on a sloppy track. Other horses who have run well on a sloppy track include War of Will, Plus Que Parfait, By My Standards and Improbable.
Kentucky Derby 2019 Post Positions
1. [No horse]
2. War of Will
3. Tax
4. By My Standards
5. Gray Magician
6. Improbable
7. Vekoma
8. Maximum Security
9. Tacitus
10. Plus Oue Parfait
11. Cutting Humor
12. Code of Honor
13. Win Win Win
14. Master Fencer
15. Game Winner
16. Roadster
17. Long Range Toddy
18. Spinoff
19. Country House
20. Bodexpress
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