In 144 prior runnings of the Kentucky Derby, no horse had been disqualified from any of the top three spots for a foul on the racetrack 

That all changed Saturday when the three Churchill Downs stewards – in what is sure to be one of the most controversial decisions in racing history – disqualified the first-place finisher, MAXIMUM SECURITY, from an apparent victory in the 145th Derby for supposed interference of WAR OF WILL, who wound up eighth (and elevated to seventh) after being lightly checked nearing the quarter-pole.

The decision gave victory to a 65-1 shot, COUNTRY HOUSE, giving his Hall of Fame trainer, Bill Mott, his first Derby win. CODE OF HONOR, third on the wire, was elevated from third to second, and another Mott  trainee, TACITUS, was elevated from fourth to third.

Maximum Security, ridden by Luis Saez for Gary and Mary West and trainer Jason Servis, was placed 17th, behind LONG RANGE TODDY, who supposedly was affected in the incident in which Maximum Security came out slightly into the path of War of Will.

Country House, ridden by Flavien Prat, returned $132.40 to win. It's the second-highest win mutuel in race history, behind only Donerail (91-1 in 1913).

The official order of finish, following the DQ: 20-13-8-5-16-15-1-9-14-10-3-6-21-2-17-18-7-19-4.

Maximum Security, always on the lead, finished the 1 1/4-mile distance in 2:03.93 over a sealed and sloppy track. When Country House came to challenge as they straightened down the stretch, Maximum Security edged away to finish 1 3/4 lengths ahead on the wire.

One other Derby winner (Dancer’s Image, 1968) has been disqualified, but that was for a medication violation announced days after the race. One DQ for a racetrack foul has occurred in Derby history, with Gate Dancer placed 5th after finishing 4th in the 1984 running.

Country House, a chestnut colt by Lookin At Lucky, is owned by the partnership of Mrs. J. V. Shields, E.J. McFadden, and LNJ Foxwoods. He finished 1 3/4 lengths behind Maximum Security and was “kissed in,” as it’s known, when having nothing to do with the incident that led to the disqualification of the winner.

The $2 exacta (20-13) paid $3,0009.60, the $1 trifecta (20-13-8) returned $11,475.30, and the $1 superfecta (20-13-8-5) was worth $51,400.10.

Omaha Beach and Haikal were scratched earlier in the week, leaving a field of 19.