Scott Jordan, head starter at Churchill Downs, Ellis Park and Kentucky Downs, has been dismissed from that same position at Keeneland.
Officials at the Lexington, Ky., racetrack and auction company confirmed Jordan's dismissal but did not specify a reason. The following statement from Keeneland president and CEO Shannon Arvin was issued on Friday: ”We aren't in a position to respond with the details of this situation, but we will say that, in every respect, Keeneland is committed to integrity.”
Jordan became head starter at Keeneland for the 2019 fall meet after the death of longtime starter Robert “Spec” Alexander, 80, earlier in the year. Son of trainer Rick Jordan, Scott Jordan was an exercise rider in Ohio before joining the starting gate crew at Beulah Park and old River Downs at the age of 19, then moving to the Kentucky tracks. Jordan has been head starter at Churchill Downs since 2006.
News of Jordan's departure was circulated on Friday morning in an anonymous email sent to media outlets and horsemen that was critical of the move by Keeneland.
“The summer before Scott Jordan started, Keeneland gate schooling had deteriorated into a state of chaos,” a portion of the email states. “Multiple people and horses had accidents due to negligence and impatience. Staffing was a very serious issue. Without the proper amount of staff it is impossible to do any job well. It is especially difficult to teach young races horses what they need to learn in order to have successful futures. The staffing issue was quickly resolved by Mr. Jordan because people want to work with and for him. He is not only respected by the trainers but he is respected by gate crew throughout the country. I cannot stress enough how important it is to have a true horseman in charge of the starting gate. Someone with years of equine handling experience and doing that specific job. Especially at a facility like Keeneland where so many young horses build their foundations, a bad experience as a young racehorse can affect him for the rest of his life. It is damaging to the industry.
“Having the same starter at every Kentucky track has made an unimaginable difference,” the email continued. “Having Mr. Jordan associated with Keeneland, where many of us spend millions of dollars, has made an unimaginable difference.”
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