Wests File Federal Lawsuit Over Derby Disqualification

Gary and Mary West have filed a federal lawsuit against the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission over the stewards' disqualification of Maximum Security – a horse they bred and own – from a victory in the May 4 Kentucky Derby The lawsuit was reported in the Lexington Herald-Leader. Named in the suit, according to the newspaper, are the racing commission and its members, staff and stewards. It was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Frankfort. Maximum Security was disqualified after finishing 1 3/4 lengths ahead of Country House, whose jockey Flavien Prat, claimed foul. A second claim of foul was filed by Jon Court, aboard 17th-place finisher Long Range Toddy, who was one of three horses – along with eighth-place finisher War of Will and 14th-place finisher Bodexpress – stewards said was impeded when leader Maximum Security and jockey Luis Saez drifted out several paths with about five-sixteenths of a mile remaining in the mile and a quarter Derby. Maximum Security was moved to 17th place, behind Long Range Toddy. The Wests appealed the disqualification to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, but that was swiftly denied because Kentucky's rules of racing state that stewards' decisions concerning the running of a race are final and not subject to appeal. Saez subsequently received a 15-day suspension from the stewards – two of whom work for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and one of whom is employed by Churchill Downs. Gary West has claimed Tyler Gaffalione, the rider of War of Will, was to blame for the incident because he allegedly allowed his mount to run up into the hind legs of Maximum Security...MORE

At the link provided above you can also read the statement issued by the Wests on Wednesday, which clearly lays out their perspective on the process and the decision.