Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. was suspended indefinitely by Churchill Downs on Thursday night and his Kentucky Derby entry, Lord Miles, was scratched from Saturday’s race following the sudden deaths of two of Joseph’s horses.
Four horses died in 5 days in Louisville, Ky., together with Parents Prideon Saturday and Chasing Artie on Tuesday. Those horses are skilled by Joseph and owned by Ken Ramsey.
“For the betterment of racing, the health and welfare of our equine athletes and the safety of our jockeys, all horses trained by trained Saffie Joseph Jr. are scratched effective immediately and until further notice,” the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Board of Stewards stated in an announcement Thursday. “This action is taken after consultation with Mr. Joseph, and includes Lord Miles, who was entered into the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby.”
Churchill Downs Incorporated referred to as the deaths of Parents Pride and Chasing Artie “highly unusual” in a news launch.
“Given the unexplained sudden deaths, we have reasonable concerns about the condition of his (Joseph’s) horses, and decided to suspend him indefinitely until details are analyzed and understood,” Bill Mudd, president and chief working officer of CDI, stated in an announcement. “The safety of our equine and human athletes and integrity of our sport is our highest priority. We feel these measures are our duty and responsibility.”
While suspended, Joseph is prohibited from coming into horses in races or making use of for stall occupancy throughout all Churchill Downs-owned tracks.
Churchill Downs ordered full necropsies of the deceased horses and stated Joseph’s horses died abruptly of unknown causes. Two different horses from totally different trainers — Wild On Ice and Take Charge Briana — died as the results of “musculoskeletal injuries from which they could not recover” throughout coaching or racing at Churchill Downs and had been euthanized.
Joseph spoke to reporters Wednesday and stated he was uneasy not realizing the reason for the tragic deaths.
“It shatters me,” Joseph stated of the lack of his two horses this week. “We don’t have the answer. And that’s what — that’s what we need to get the answer. We’ve had them get hurt. That’s different. I’ve never had a horse like this, of something internally in race? No. Basically it’s mind-boggling. I mean, in a race, twice in three days and the first two runners, like, I mean, the same owner? It’s mind-boggling.”
Lord Miles had gained the Wood Memorial Stakes, drew the No. 19 place and opened at 30-1 odds earlier than being scratched. Mandarin Hero was added to the sphere, bringing the entire to 3 Japanese entries.
–Field Level Media