BALTIMORE (AP) — Maximum Security owner Gary West has issued a multimillion dollar challenge to the owners of four horses that benefited from his horse's historic disqualification in the Kentucky Derby.
In a statement released Friday, West says he'll pay each of those owners $5 million apiece if Country House, War of Will, Long Range Toddy or Bodexpress finish ahead of Maximum Security in the next race against him through the end of the year.
West offered an alternate possibility of a $1.86 million wager — the winner's share for the Kentucky Derby.
Maximum Security crossed the finish line first in the Derby on May 4 but was disqualified for interference and placed 17th. Country House, who finished second, was elevated to first, War of Will from eighth to seventh, Bodexpress from 14th to 13th and Long Range Toddy from 17th to 16th.
IMAGES | Disqualified Kentucky Derby winner Maximum Security
Images of disqualified Kentucky Derby winner Maximum Security from Derby Day, and training at Churchill Downs.
Maximum Security's Jockey, Luis Saez, sees an objection posted after he crossed the finish line first.
- Eric Crawford photo.
Maximum Security on the walk-over the paddock before the 145th Kentucky Derby.
- Eric Crawford photo.
Maximum Security and jockey Luis Saez during the 2019 Kentucky Derby post parade.
- Eric Crawford photo.
Maximum Security and jockey Luis Saez during the Kentucky Derby post parade.
- Eric Crawford photo.
Maximum Security leads the field into the first turn of the Kentucky Derby.
- Eric Crawford photo.
Maximum Security and jockey Luis Saez just after crossing the finish line in the Kentucky Derby.
- Eric Crawford photo.
Maximum Security hits the finish line in front of a wall of cameras.
- Eric Crawford photo.
Luiz Saez is congratulated after crossing the finish line first in the Kentucky Derby aboard Maximum Security.
- Eric Crawford photo.
An outrider leads Maximum Security around the track during the 22-minute wait for a stewards' decision on the winner of the Kentucky Derby.
- Eric Crawford photo.
Maximum Security trainer Jason Servis waits anxiously as stewards discuss the outcome of the Kentucky Derby.
- Eric Crawford photo.
Maximum Security trains at Churchill Downs three days before the Kentucky Derby.
- Eric Crawford photo.
Maximum Security trains at Churchill Downs.
- Eric Crawford photo.
Maximum Security takes a look at the track before training for the Kentucky Derby.
West and his wife, Mary, filed a lawsuit this week against the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and stewards over the first disqualification of a Derby winner in the race's 145-year history.
The Wests elected not to run Maximum Security in the Preakness. War of Will and Bodexpress are in the field.
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