Horse racing-Lord Miles scratched from Kentucky Derby as trainer suspended (updated)

Churchill Downs

05/05/2023 24:16

(Recasts to lead on second horse scratched)
       May 4 (Reuters) - Lord Miles has been scratched from the
Kentucky Derby after Churchill Downs suspended trainer Saffie
Joseph Jr. indefinitely on Thursday following the death of two
of his horses at the property ahead of Saturday's Kentucky
Derby.
        Churchill Downs is working with regulators after four
horses died in the lead-up to the 1-1/4-mile race, including one
that was entered to run in the first leg of thoroughbred
racing's Triple Crown, Wild on Ice. 
        Joseph's horses, Parents Pride and Chasing Artie, died
suddenly on Saturday and Tuesday, respectively.
        "Given the unexplained sudden deaths, we have reasonable
concerns about the condition of his horses and decided to
suspend him indefinitely until details are analyzed and
understood," Bill Mudd, the president and chief operating
officer of Churchill Downs Incorporated, said in a statement.
    Lord Miles was the second scratch announced for the derby on
Thursday as Practical Move was also removed from the field due
to an elevated temperature.
    Cyclone Mischief, a bay colt trained by Dale Romans, will
now enter the competition in the No. 20 post position following
third-place finishes behind champion Forte in the Fountain of
Youth (G2) and Florida Derby (G1).
    A jockey for Cyclone Mischief has not yet been confirmed.
    Also joining in the No. 22 spot is Mandarin Hero, who took
second in the Santa Anita Derby last month. The dark brown colt
is the second horse from Japan in this year's field along with
Derma Sotogake.

 (Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto and Amy Tennery in New
York; Editing by Pritha Sarkar and Jamie Freed)
 ((frank.pingue@thomsonreuters.com; +1-647-480-7636; Reuters
Messaging: frank.pingue.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))