On a day they had originally been granted permission to review the patrol footage of the GI Kentucky Derby, Gary and Mary West, the owners of the demoted Maximum Security (New Year's Day) issued a statement to further address the much-talked-about disqualification.
The statement read, in part:
'On the Monday morning following the race we filed a formal “protest, objection and appeal” letter with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission seeking the opportunity to be heard “forthwith” by the full Commission. That request was summarily denied only hours later that same day. In denying our request, counsel for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission reminded us that it was a “privilege” to participate in horse racing in Kentucky. And we agree–however, that “privilege” comes with an obligation for fair, full and transparent treatment by the Commission of its licensees. That did not occur here. Faced with Commission's denial of any recourse we are left to evaluate our legal options, which we are now doing. We believe that with a just and proper hearing of our case Maximum Security will be restored as the rightful winner of this year's Kentucky Derby.'
Maximum Security arrived at Monmouth Park earlier this week and has already been declared a non-starter for next week's GI Preakness S. The GI Belmont S. remains a possibility, with the GI TVG.com Haskell Invitational S. July 20 a longer-term option.
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