DQ'd horse's owner offers up to $20M in challenge to other Derby rivals

Maximum Security owner Gary West is offering up to $20 million to the owners of four horses that benefited from his thoroughbred's disqualification at the Kentucky Derby if they beat his horse in a race before Dec. 31.

West is offering $5 million apiece if any of the four horses - Country House, War of Will, Long Range Toddy, and Bodexpress - beat Maximum Security, a media representative for West announced at Horse Racing Nation.

Maximum Security appeared to win the Kentucky Derby on May 4 but was disqualified for interference. It was the first disqualification of a Derby winner in the race's 145-year history. Country House, who finished second, was elevated to champion. War of Will moved to seventh from eighth, Bodexpress to 13th from 14th, and Long Range Toddy to 16th from 17th.

"I am doing this because I think it would be good for racing and a unique opportunity to bring more people into racing because of the elevated interest this would bring to the sport," West said.

West said he will donate Maximum Security's winnings - if any - from the challenge to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.