History was made Saturday at Churchill Downs.
Just, not the good kind.
During the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby, 9-2 favorite Maximum Security broke away from the pack to win the first leg of the Triple Crown. But after the race, the stewards reviewed the running and disqualified Maximum Security for coming off the rail and bumping War of Wills and impeding the path of Country House, who finished second and therefore was named the winner.
An explanation of the historic inquiry ruling that disqualified Maximum Security, making Country House the @KentuckyDerby winner. pic.twitter.com/YZqqn4ucbJ— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 4, 2019
It was the first post-race disqualification in Kentucky Derby history. At 65-1, Country House was the second biggest long shot to win in Derby history.
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The Derby's controversial ending likely brought back a couple of memories for Bay Area baseball fans.
The first came during an A's-Astros game last August.
With the A's trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth, Nick Martini laced a ball down the right field line. Ramon Laureano took off from first looking to score and tie the game. The relay throw met Laureano at the plate and he was initially called out. However, replay overturned the call, and the A's tied the game. The A's went on to win the game, much to the dismay of Astros right fielder Josh Reddick, who had a few words for the umpires confounding call.
Giants fans may remember another replay controversy, one that didn't turn out in their favor.
In August of 2017, the Giants and St.Louis Cardinals were locked in a battle at then-AT&T Park. With the Giants trailing 5-1 in the bottom of the ninth, Brandon Crawford laced a ball that was ticketed for the roof atop the right field wall. The home run would have made it 5-3, but a fan caught the ball before it hit the roof. After a replay review, the umpires ruled fan interference, giving Crawford a double and taking a run off the board. The Cardinals went on to win 5-2.
<iframe src='https://www.mlb.com/video/share/crawford-s-homer-overturned-c1796667983?t=most-popular' width='540' height='304' scrolling='no' ></iframe>
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While both calls were head-scratchers, neither cost the Giants or Astros the amount of money that the jockey and trainer would have made ($1.86 million) had Maximum Security been ruled the winner of the Kentucky Derby.
That's a tough L to take.
