The Kentucky Derby is always a scene, full of pageantry and celebrities. But this year's race also became a scene when it witnessed a first in the 145-year history of the race: a winner disqualified for interference.
Some of the reaction on social media was straightforward and paid homage to the historic -- and shocking -- nature of how things unfolded, from the disqualification to a 65-1 long shot ending up in the winner's circle.
After an objection review, Maximum Security (4-1) has been disqualified.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 4, 2019
Country House (62-1) and jockey Flavien Prat have won the Kentucky Derby! 🐎 pic.twitter.com/I6Up7aZTCd
Today at the Kentucky Derby, Maximum Security became the first horse in derby history to have a 1st-place finish changed via disqualification. pic.twitter.com/nZ5wnEO48x
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 4, 2019
Country House wins the 145th Kentucky Derby.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 4, 2019
Country House entered the race with 65-1 odds to win, making him the 2nd-longest shot to win the Kentucky Derby in the 145-year history of the race (Donerail, 91.5-1 in 1913). pic.twitter.com/V85DMSW9qP
Yet others were simply puzzled by what transpired.
The most controversial review since ... pic.twitter.com/87aQsXjaBS
— ESPN (@espn) May 4, 2019
This is literally my first horse race. But as nasty as these conditions were, I don't think I could have taken the win away from #MaximumSecurity #KentuckyDerby
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) May 4, 2019
If it's that easy for a horse to get disqualified how did it take 145 runnings of the Kentucky Derby for it to happen?
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 4, 2019
All of us who've covered motorsports forever, now watching everyone freak out over #KentuckyDerby2019 having long postrace reviews and talk of blocking and changed results and all the confusion that comes with all the above... pic.twitter.com/S6kYFYSd4v
— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) May 4, 2019
Of course, the Kentucky Derby is known for more than just the race itself, even when the race ends in such bizarre fashion. It's also known for parties, fancy hats -- and plenty of celebrities. The 2019 Derby was no different, with several pro athletes in attendance and featured on social media, including New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield and IndyCar racer Josef Newgarden. Even the Stanley Cup was at Churchill Downs.
Here are some of the top prerace social media posts from the sports world at this year's Kentucky Derby.
*Insert gif of me yelling Let's Go below* pic.twitter.com/1yRGoDk9MU
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) May 4, 2019
.@bakermayfield lookin' good on the #KentuckyDerby red carpet 👌 pic.twitter.com/CGlKEynWru
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 4, 2019
On the @KentuckyDerby red carpet 🏇#KyDerby #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/H2pD5Ttovi
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) May 4, 2019
Happy Derby Day! #KentuckyDerby pic.twitter.com/Wr2HreJ4b1
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) May 4, 2019
"We're going to the Kentucky Derby, you know what it is." 😂@616evans4 | #KYDerby pic.twitter.com/IsMH5AgfSx
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) May 4, 2019
A group of Gold Jackets are styling on the @KentuckyDerby red carpet pic.twitter.com/sc98ETR6O2
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) May 4, 2019
Stanley stopping in at the #KentuckYDerby before his relocation to Dallas next month.#KYDerby #GoStars #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/Lc4FXgorLT
— Chris Sadeghi (@chrissadeghi) May 4, 2019
We've arrived! @KentuckyDerby | @NBCSports | @IndyCar | @IMS pic.twitter.com/4Lxms8GnWP
— Josef Newgarden (@josefnewgarden) May 4, 2019
I'm told often that I have the best job in the world.
— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) May 4, 2019
I agree!
But this man is close!
He's already covered the Olympics and the Super Bowl. He's at his first @KentuckyDerby today. And he's headed to the Indy 500 in a couple weeks!
Great chat on @SportsCenter today.
Proud of him. pic.twitter.com/LtKsPQHUaS
