Bettors Take $9M Bath After Kentucky Derby Mess

$10 refunds to ease losses on Maximum Security
By Bob Cronin,  Newser Staff
Posted May 5, 2019 9:25 AM CDT
Derby Offers $10 to Bettors Who Backed Disqualified Winner
Three women place their bets at Churchill Downs.   (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)

The Kentucky Derby's decision to name a horse that didn't cross the finish line first the winner hit bettors hard, ESPN reports. Maximum Security finished ahead of the field but was disqualified for interfering with other horses Saturday, which made 65-1 long-shot Country House the official winner. The loss for those who had bet on Maximum Security to win, place, or show was about $9 million, according to TwinSpires.com. The online wagering service for Churchill Downs announced on Twitter that it will ease that pain by refunding up to $10 of the win bets, per USA Today. About $6.2 million had been placed on Maximum Security to win. SuperBook at Westgate Las Vegas was hit hard by the disqualification. Director John Murray texted ESPN: "The SuperBook animal racing trade team is annoyed by the decision." (The disqualification was a first.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X