Kentucky Derby Bettors’ Claims Barred, Churchill Downs Says

Kentucky Derby racetrack owner Churchill Downs Inc. told a federal court that state regulations bar a proposed class action by bettors who say they were deprived of winnings when Medina Spirit—a horse later disqualified—was named first-place finisher in the 2021 derby.

The horse was disqualified for testing positive for a substance banned on race day.

As required by regulations promulgated by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, Churchill Downs said, it made payouts to derby bettors based on the official race results as declared by the stewards, who “act solely as agents of the KHRC, not Churchill Downs,” according to a ...