Bennie L. “Chip” Woolley Jr., who rose to prominence in 2009 when he saddled Mine That Bird to a 50-1 upset of the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, has been summarily suspended by stewards in Arizona.
The Arizona Horse Racing Commission ruling, dated Feb. 8, said that Wooolley is “hereby suspended and denied access to all grounds under the jurisdiction of the Arizona Department of Racing pending a hearing before the Board of Stewards to answer charges of actions that call into question the best interests of racing, and the safety, welfare, economy, health and peace of the people of the state as well.”
A hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 15, according to steward Jason Hart, who said he could not comment further on the matter including the specific reason Woolley was summarily suspended.
The ruling cites a number of alleged violations in accordance with Arizona Administrative Code, including sections listing “prohibited acts.”
Woolley's horses entered to race at Turf Paradise on Tuesday were all listed as being scratched by the stewards. He has additional horses entered at the Phoenix track and at Sunland Park in New Mexico in upcoming days.
Reached by telephone, Woolley said he had no comment “at this time.”
Training since 1991, Woolley skyrocketed to fame in 2009 when Mine That Bird closed from last in a field of 19 to win the Kentucky Derby by 6 3/4 lengths over Pioneerof the Nile under Calvin Borel. The story of the Birdstone gelding with humble beginnings led to a 2014 movie, “50 to 1,” with Skeet Ulrich playing the part of Woolley.
Since 2009, when Woolley's stable earned in excess of $2 million thanks mostly to Mine That Bird, his best year was in 2021, when he saddled 28 winners from 280 starters for earnings of $617,950. Woolley has saddled three winners from 30 starters thus farm in 2022.
