Horse racing-Churchill Downs reinstates suspended trainer Joseph

Churchill Downs

01/07/2023 24:10

By Rory Carroll
       June 30 (Reuters) - Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., who was
suspended after two of his horses died in the lead up to last
month's Kentucky Derby, has been reinstated after necropsy
reports found no banned substances in the horses, Churchill
Downs said on Friday. 
    Joseph-trained four-year-old filly Parents Pride and
five-year-old gelding Chasing Artie collapsed and perished
following races at the famed Louisville track in late April and
early May. 
    Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI) said Joseph would be allowed to
enter horses in races and apply for stall occupancy at its
racetracks "effective immediately" following the release of the
Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) report. 
    "We remain deeply concerned about the condition of Parents
Pride and Chasing Artie that led to their sudden death," said
Bill Mudd, president and chief operating officer of CDI.
    "However, given the details available to us as a result of
the KHRC investigation, there is no basis to continue Joseph's
suspension."
    Twelve horses died in a span of six weeks at Churchill
Downs, including seven in the week leading up to the first leg
of the Triple Crown, which was won by Mage on May 6.
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    Investigations by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety
Authority, Churchill Downs and the KHRC have yet to identify a
reason for the fatalities. 
    Churchill Downs earlier this month announced that the
remainder of its Spring Meet, which concludes on July 3, would
be moved to Ellis Park in Henderson, Kentucky while
investigators conduct a "top-to-bottom" safety review.
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 (Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Ken
Ferris)
 ((Rory.Carroll@thomsonreuters.com Follow me on Twitter
@rorydcarroll; 503-830-8017;))