2019 Kentucky Derby

145th Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
Grade I stakes race
LocationChurchill Downs
Louisville, Kentucky, United States
DateMay 4, 2019 (2019-05-04)
Winning horseCountry House
(by disqualification)
Winning time2:03.93
Final odds65–1
JockeyFlavien Prat
TrainerWilliam I. Mott
OwnerShields, McFadden & LNJ Foxwoods
ConditionsSloppy
SurfaceDirt
Attendance150,729[1]
← 2018
2020 →

The 2019 Kentucky Derby (officially, the 2019 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve[2]) was the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby, and took place on Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Louisville, Kentucky. The field was open to 20 horses, who qualified for the race by earning points on the 2019 Road to the Kentucky Derby. The Derby is held annually on the first Saturday in May, at the end of the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. It is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds at a distance of 1+14 miles (2.0 km), and has been run at Churchill Downs racetrack since its inception in 1875. The purse for 2019 was increased from US$2 million to US$3 million.[3][4]

The race was broadcast by NBC,[5] with coverage by NBCSN of undercard races beginning at 12:30 pm EDT and main network coverage of pre-race activities starting at 2:30 pm EDT. Cleveland Browns star quarterback Baker Mayfield provided the "Riders Up".

Although Maximum Security crossed the finish line before long shot Country House, Maximum Security was disqualified and the victory was awarded to Country House after Maximum Security was judged to have cost War of Will and Long Range Toddy a better placing in the race when he swerved into their path, causing them to check strides.[6][7]

  1. ^ Culpepper, Chuck. "Country House wins Kentucky Derby after Maximum Security is disqualified". Washington Post. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  2. ^ Frank Angst (October 25, 2017). "Woodford Reserve is New Kentucky Derby Sponsor". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  3. ^ "Kentucky Derby Purse Increased to $3 Million". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  4. ^ "History Of Churchill Downs". Churchill Downs. Archived from the original on March 1, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  5. ^ Kentucky Derby 2019 (FULL RACE) ends in historic controversial finish – NBC Sports. NBC Sports (Sports). May 4, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  6. ^ Cody, Benjamin (May 4, 2019). "Kentucky Derby 2019 results: Country House emerges with victory after Maximum Security disqualified". CBS Sports. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference BH-Awarded was invoked but never defined (see the help page).