Stewards Statement

May 05, 2019 Churchill Downs Communications

JIM MULVIHILL: Ladies and gentlemen, we're joined now by the three stewards that were in the stand today for the running of the Kentucky Derby. I will introduce them first. In the center is Barbara Borden, chief steward for the state of Kentucky. And then on the far end, Butch Becraft, also State of Kentucky Steward, as well as Tyler Picklesimer, Association Steward, meaning an employee of Churchill Downs ‑‑ or appointed by Churchill Downs.

We are not going to have any questions. We're just going to have a statement from Barbara. And that will be the extent of the proceedings. So, Barbara, if you would, the floor is yours.

BARBARA BORDEN: Hello, good evening. The riders of the 18 (Long Range Toddy) and 20 (Country House) horses in the Kentucky Derby lodged objections against the 7 (Maximum Security) horse, the winner, due to interference turning for home, leaving the 1/4 pole.

We had a lengthy review of the race. We interviewed affected riders. We determined that the 7 horse drifted out and impacted the progress of Number 1 (War of Will), in turn, interfering with the 18 and 21 (Bodexpress).  Those horses were all affected, we thought, by the interference.

Therefore, we unanimously determined to disqualify Number 7 and place him behind the 18, the 18 being the lowest‑placed horse that he bothered, which is our typical procedure.