If publicity is the goal of watch brand sponsorships, Longines has made a winning bet as the Official Timekeeper of the Kentucky Derby. The number one favorite and original winner, Maximum Security, was disqualified for interference 20 minutes after being declared the winner of the May 4 race at Churchill Downs, leading to headlines all over the world. It was the first time in the 145-year history of the Kentucky Derby that a winning horse has been disqualified. According to online sports magazine the Action Network, bettors at Churchill Downs placed $6.2-million in Win/Place/Show wagers on Maximum Security, which would have yielded $42-million in winnings, not including exotic bets like exactas, trifectas and superfectas, which have higher payouts. Instead, the title went to the second-place finisher, Country House, who ran at morning line odds of 65-l. He is the second biggest longshot to win the Kentucky Derby, after Donerail, who went off at 91-1 in 1913. By early Monday, a counter appeal was launched by Maximum Security co-owner Gary West, who said he was ?stunned, shocked, and in total disbelief.? By Tuesday, he had filed a lawsuit against the Derby officials. In 1968, the initial winner of the Kentucky Derby was disqualified over a drug test, but none has ever been disqualified from a win at the event itself. Longines timed the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby (above), won in controversial fashion by longshot Country House (below).

After the race, which was held ...