(Maximum Security crossed the finish line first in the 2019 Kentucky Derby. But the joy didn’t last for long for Gary and Mary West. Photo by Holly M. Smith)

By Dan Liebman:

“Ladies and gentleman, thank you very much for attending the 2020 Eclipse Awards, celebrating the champions of last year. Before we announce the Horse of the Year, we would like to present one other award.

“The winner of the 2019 Steve Coburn Award is … Gary West.

“Accepting the award for Mr. West, who sold all his horses and moved to Bora Bora, is unemployed bloodstock agent and racing manager Ben Glass.”

You remember Steve Coburn, co-owner of California Chrome, who after the horse lost his bid for the Triple Crown in 2014, turned into a whack job, calling the fresh shooters in the Belmont Stakes “cheaters and cowards.”

In just a few minutes, Coburn took the feel good story of California Chrome and reminded us yet once more that horses cannot pick their owners.

Now, along comes Gary West, who with his wife, Mary, bred and own Maximum Security, now known as the only horse to be disqualified from a win in the Kentucky Derby for an infraction on the track. (Dancer’s Image was disqualified after the 1968 Derby for a medication violation).

West appealed the decision of the Stewards to the Kentucky Racing Commission, despite being told there was a rule stating it could not be appealed. It was, of course, denied.

To make matters worse, he kept talking.

Said he will file a lawsuit.

Called Churchill Downs “greedy” for allowing a maximum of 20 horses to run in the Derby.

And, he threatened to sell all his horses and retreat from the sport that he and his family have enjoyed for decades.

It should be noted Coburn and his partner, Perry Martin, because they bred a cheap mare to an inexpensive stallion, subsequently named their stable “Dumb Ass Partners.”

Gary West, on the other hand, is just acting like a dumb ass.

First of all, no court is going to overturn the ruling of the Stewards, who judiciously reviewed the film from numerous angles before making their decision.

Whether you agree with the ruling or not — and I do — it is the stewards that have the final say.

Secondly, calling Churchill Downs greedy is like calling Donald Trump someone who likes to tweet. We all know Churchill Downs likes to make money. They are a publicly traded company. They are supposed to make money. In fact, this is the only time I can recall lately where I find myself supporting Churchill Downs.

Because the race is run at Churchill Downs, the track, with approval from the commission, limits the field to 20. It didn’t used to have such a limit. I remember well Cannonade winning in a 23-horse field in 1974.

It is safe to assume Gary West knew the possibility of 20 runners (only 19 ran after scratches) being in the field before he entered his horse. If he thought Churchill was greedy by running that many horses, he could have waited for the Preakness, which always has considerably fewer starters.

These are the rules of Churchill Downs. Play by them or don’t play.

If Gary West is going to sue Churchill Downs, then Rick Porter could sue Churchill Downs. He can claim that since his horse, Omaha Beach, entrapped his epiglottis just days before the race the track should have postponed the race until he was ready to compete.

While he is at it, Porter can sue the track because it allowed the field to open the rail for Calvin Borel aboard Street Sense in the 2007 Derby, otherwise Porter would have won with Hard Spun. And, Porter can sue the track because his Eight Belles broke down following her second-place finish in the 2008 Derby.

 As for selling their horses and leaving the game, well, that would be a shame. The Wests have made a enormous investment in the industry, and have been great owners and breeders.

But if they decide to disperse their holdings, go ahead … do it. The game will go on.

One can only imagine the tremendous disappointment of winning the Derby, and then having it taken away from you. To reach the pinnacle, and then have the mountain collapse.

But take the high road. Be disappointed; congratulate the winners. Prepare your horse for another race. After all, everyone knows he was the best horse on the day. Right?

There is still time for a recount for the Steve Coburn Award.

Show class. Let someone else take home that hardware.

It is not too late.