3 minute read

Would it be Kentucky Derby time if there wasn't a major scandal?

This year's scandal is tragic:  5 horses have died from track injuries or other causes in the last week and two others broke down in racing but are OK, leaving Churchill Downs officials in a state of panic.

Since two of the horses who died came from the same barn they have suspended their trainer Safee Joseph Jr indefinitely and scratched all his runners, which includes Lord Miles who was scheduled to run in the Derby.

The Joseph runners were Parent's Pride who broke down in a race on Saturday and Chasing Artie who started favourite but finished last and collapsed shortly after.  Both horses were euthanised.

Joseph is naturally a bit upset at all this but until all the necropsy (Musculo- skeleton) and the post mortem (other causes) are completed there will be little he can do.