LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Kentucky Derby race made history, but it also left bettors stunned when the horse least expected to win defeated the odds.
Maximum Security was disqualified for interference and made Country House the winner.
Derek Wilkinson, the sports book manager at Westgate hotel-casino in Las Vegas told 13 Action News the unexpected outcome made them lose money.
"The amount we lost was mid-five figures once they announced Country House was the winner," said Wilkinson.
The 65-to-1 long shot made County House a surprise contender.
"A couple of people with $10 tickets were making $600-$700 cash outs,” said Wilkinson.
That is at least $50,000 but more people would've won money if Maximum security had been the winner.
Wilkinson did not specify how much money was bet on each horse but only said they made six figures in total for amount bet.
Fans said the stunning finish at the Kentucky Derby was not much of a surprise since most bets were for the all-time favorite Maximum Security.
"I thought it was a good bet, but I think the winner surprised everybody," said Derby fan Steve Gould.
A day after the big race, Gould still cannot believe the horse that crossed the finish line was stripped of his title.
"It was a good call because the horse did impede other horses which caused chain reaction," said Gould.
"It's never happened in the derby where they take a horse down. It happens a lot of times in everyday races that they do in tracks across the country. It was a big deal. We did not see that coming," said Wilkinson.
