LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Latest on Saturday's 145th running of the Kentucky Derby:
UPDATE: For the first time in Kentucky Derby history, the horse that crossed the finish line first was disqualified from the race.
Maximum Security was declared the winner originally after crossing the finish line first, but due to bumping into another horse was disqualified minutes after the race.
Country House, a horse with 65-1 odds, was declared the official winner after the disqualification.
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Maximum Security has crossed the finish line first in the Kentucky Derby.
Heavy rain has caused the main dirt track at Churchill Downs to be downgraded from fast to sloppy for the Kentucky Derby.
Bad weather that was expected arrived about three hours before post time. Rain fell harder as race time grew closer, making for a tough trek for the handlers and connections as they marched from the backside barn area around to the front stretch.
An off track is nothing new for Maximum Security, the 4-1 favorite. The unbeaten colt earned the second of his four victories by 6½ lengths in a muddy six-furlong race at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 24. He entered the Derby with 3 1/2-length win in the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 30.
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4 p.m.
After several hours of an overcast but dry sky, a light drizzle is falling at Churchill Downs in the prelude to heavier rain expected to arrive in time for the Kentucky Derby.
The main track and turf are fast and good for now, though that is expected to change.
Spectators continue to mill and mingle throughout the paddock and grandstand with drinks and racing programs in hand. Not to mention plastic rain ponchos in preparation for the main downpour.
Some women even have plastic covers festooned to big, fancy, colorful hats. Others thought better of it, given the gloomy forecast. Brenda Oliver spent $300 on a big poofy black and white fascinator for her first Derby and her friend Caroline Washle borrowed a massive hat from her mother. The 19-year-olds watched the weather reports and feared they'd be ruined by the rain, so left the headwear at home.
They watched other Derby-goers around them, hats on nearly every head, and started regretting that choice.
"The more I look around, the more I feel sort of out of place," Oliver said.
