Count the president and CEO of Canterbury Park in Shakopee among those who believe the Kentucky Derby stewards got it wrong.
"It was unfortunate," Canterbury's Randy Sampson told Sid, Dave, and Maxie on WCCO's Sports Huddle after the controversial decision to disqualify Maximum Security for interfering with other horses in the final turn of the Kentucky Derby.
"The best horse crossed the finish line first, the fans think they can cash the ticket," he said. "I hate to see, 20 minutes away, and then change up the order, but that's the stewards' prerogative."
Saturday was the first day of live racing for the season at Canterbury, followed by the popular Kentucky Derby watch party. Sampson said more than a few people left the track surprised and disappointed.
"A few people with Country House tickets at $130 were really happy," he said.
Sampson thought the best summation of the ruling came from Country Horse trainer Bill Mott, who used to train at Canterbury during the track's early years.
"He said, you know, on a $5000 claimer at a track, this horse would come down, and so it probably should in the Kentucky Derby," said Sampson.
Following the lengthy video review runner-up and 65-1 longshot Country Horse was declared the derby winner, even though the thoroughbred was not directly affected by what was ruled interference by Maximum Security of several other horses.
"It's such a significant issue that you hate to have an incident that did not affect the outcome of the race," Sampson said.