Country House wins the Run for the Roses

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Maximum Security led all the way in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, only to become the first winner disqualified for interference in the race’s 145-year history. After a long wait, Long shot Country House was declared the winner

Country House, a 65-1 shot, finished second in the slop before an objection was raised, causing a lengthy delay while stewards repeatedly reviewed several angles of video footage, before he was elevated into the winner’s circle.

The stunning outcome gave Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott his first Derby victory at age 65. Jockey Flavien Prat, who originated the claim of foul, also won his first Derby.

And the winner of the Run for the Roses has a tie to the Rose City of Thomasville. Country House is co-owned by a Thomasville woman and a brother of another Thomasville resident.

Maury Flowers Shields, of Thomasville, and Guinness McFadden, brother of Thomasville resident Haile McCollum, co-own the 3-year-old horse. Shields is McCollum’s aunt.

“They decided to run Country House very recently,” McCollum said. “We are all just thrilled.”

McFadden owns a horse farm, Blackwood Stable, in Lexington, Kentucky.

Country House previously was owned by Shields’ husband, Jerry Shields, who died in October 2018.

Shields, who attended the Derby, will return to Thomasville soon.

Country House paid $132.40 to win — the second-highest payout in Derby history.

It was a crushing turn of events for trainer Jason Servis and jockey Luis Saez, who already had begun celebrating what they thought were their first Derby victories.

Instead, Maximum Security was dropped to 17th of 19 horses. The colt was the 9-2 second choice in the wagering.

Prat claimed that Maximum Security ducked out in the final turn and forced several horses to steady.

War of Will came perilously close to clipping heels with Maximum Security, which could have caused a chain-reaction accident.

The stewards reviewed race footage for nearly 20 minutes while keeping the crowd of 150,729 in suspense, clutching their betting tickets. Trainers and jockeys involved stared at the closest video screen waiting for a result.

Code of Honor was moved up to second and Tacitus was third.

Improbable was fourth and Game Winner fifth, two of trainer Bob Baffert’s trio of entries.

Local News

City to honor Lloyd J. Austin III with street renaming

Local News

Pope’s Museum joins HAHS network

Local News

ICE places hold on Cairo man who fled hit and run

Local News

UDC celebrates Georgia Day, February 12

Local News

Rotary Club of Thomasville hosts special Valentine’s Day party at Scott Senior Center

Local News

11th Annual Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Festival draws over 150 riders

Local News

Valentine’s Day crash kills two

Local News

Grady County splash pad expected to open this summer

Local News

Small non-profit works with city for big award

Local News

City of Thomasville awarded $19.8 million community change grant

Local News

T-Mobile opens new store in Thomasville

Local News

City of Thomasville sets First Friday Concert Series lineup for 2025

Local News

Archbold welcomes new Physician Mutti

Local News

CrossFit Townie and Vashti to host South Georgia Ruck: A 5K event

Local News

Chaplain Sidney Leak speaks to the UDC about General Stonewall Jackson

Education

Georgia Tech Fall 2024 graduates announced

Local News

Incident Reports & Arrests 02-17

Local News

Reps. Taylor and Cannon enter busy week, prepare for Crossover Day

Education

TCCHS FBLA celebrates 14th region winning streak

Local News

Commissioners authorize March 18 FLOST Referendum

Local News

New Orleans Jazz Quartet takes TEF stage on Tuesday

Local News

SRTC appoints new board members Andrea Collins and Jenny Dell

Local News

Archbold Radiology wins back-to-back awards

Local News

City of Thomasville to offer free stormwater design sessions