“Mr. Rudulph is no longer with FanDuel TV,” the spokesman said, indicating that that would be the only statement made.

Rudulph was suspended from his duties two days after the he posted the Tweet, which read: “Horse racing needs to stop pretending and just be what it is. It's a great combo of WWE/reality TV/sports with a healthy dose of BS on the side. It's a great game. Cheating is part of it. Death is part of it. Losing is part of it. Winning makes it all worthwhile.” On the heels of the equine fatalities at Churchill Downs, many objected to the comments, criticisms that Rudulph initially deflected.

“Oh they absolutely knew what I was saying,” he said. “They also saw a reason to go “there”, so they went there. It's all part of the process. I expect it and I accept it.” It was unclear where “there” was.

The following day, he deleted the Tweet and tried to walk it back. “Monday evening, I made a mistake and used a very poor choice of words to make what I hoped would be a compelling thought regarding horse racing. I apologize to my colleagues and the industry for my lack of proper forethought. I truly felt you all would have the open dialogue with me. I will find a better way in the future. At NO POINT am I advocating for or supporting horse fatalities. I don't even know how that became part of this. I'm trying to have a conversation about the issues in this industry, and how we deal with them on a daily basis. This confusion reminds me why we can't have these conversations. But I'm not going to stop trying.”

Last week, Rudulph's Twitter status was changed to “TV News Anchor/Show Host/Sports Betting Analyst formerly with @Fandueltv.”

Reached by the TDN, Rudulph said he had no comment on the news. Tuesday morning, he Tweeted, “No more going backward. Let's just keep it moving. Carry the Hell on.”

No more going backward.
Let's just keep it moving.
Carry the Hell on.

— Ken Rudulph (@MrKenRudulphTV) May 30, 2023

The post Ken Rudulph `No Longer With Fanduel TV’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The news was first reported by the Paulick Report Wednesday night.

Monday, Rudulph Tweeted: “Horse racing needs to stop pretending and just be what it is. It's a great combo of WWE/reality TV/sports with a healthy dose of BS on the side. It's a great game. Cheating is part of it. Death is part of it. Losing is part of it. Winning makes it all worthwhile.”

The outcry over Rudulph's cavalier comments about equine deaths was immediate, and sustained, but Rudulph initially doubled down, at least on Monday.

When someone named Dj Big C Tweeted back, “The fact that people couldn't comprehend what you were saying says a lot about HRT.”

Replied Rudulph, “Oh they absolutely knew what I was saying. They also saw a reason to go “there”, so they went there. It's all part of the process. I expect it and I accept it.”

Tuesday, he deleted the Tweet and tried to walk it back. “Monday evening, I made a mistake and used a very poor choice of words to make what I hoped would be a compelling thought regarding horse racing. I apologize to my colleagues and the industry for my lack of proper forethought. I truly felt you all would have the open dialogue with me. I will find a better way in the future. At NO POINT am I advocating for or supporting horse fatalities. I don't even know how that became part of this. I'm trying to have a conversation about the issues in this industry, and how we deal with them on a daily basis. This confusion reminds me why we can't have these conversations. But I'm not going to stop trying.”

No it's pretty clear with this pic.twitter.com/4KeAHzJFZB

— Pacemakestherace (@WildWildgreen18) May 16, 2023

The apology didn't go down well with everyone.

“You didn't make a mistake,” Tweeted Diana Baker. “You told us what you really thought. It's infuriating and despicable. You should be fired and never work in this business again. NO horse death is acceptable. We all have to do better for the horses we rely upon. SHAME ON YOU.”

Writer Jay Hovdey called it “a deeply cynical take from someone who represents a pure gambling point of view.”

FanDuel appeared to agree. Wednesday, they wrote, “Recently, FanDuel TV host Ken Rudulph made disappointing comments online about the integrity of horse racing, as well as the safety and welfare of its participants. As the market leader in legal sports wagering, FanDuel takes the issues of sports integrity and track safety very seriously, and we disagree in the strongest terms with the sentiments expressed by Mr. Rudulph. Fanduel Strongly supports equine safety reforms, including our longstanding support of equine retirement and aftercare programs as well as organizations focused on the heath and safety of jockeys. We also work in close partnership with international and North American-based sports integrity monitoring agencies to identify any potentially illicit activity occurring within our racing or sportsbook platforms. Pending a full review of this matter, Mr. Rudulph will not be appearing on FanDuel TV.”

The post Ken Rudulph `Will Not Be Appearing on FanDuel’ Pending Review appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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That's the new name given to an Uncle Mo gelding owner Lawrence Roman claimed for $25,000 out of Friday's first race at Aqueduct racetrack in Ozone Park, N.Y.

Bred by Southern Equine Stables LLC, the 3-year-old won the race, his debut, under the name Grape Soda, for owner Cypress Creek Equine and trainer Eric Guillot.

Following the race, an outcry ensued on social media that referenced an earlier Tweet from Guillot showing he gave the horse its original name – which can be interpreted as an offensive racial stereotype – in “honor” of a TVG analyst he has since admitted to be Ken Rudulph, who is Black. The Tweet included a emoji of a Black fist.

Guillot falsely claimed on Twitter after the race he named the horse “after my favorite drink when I was a little boy.”

By then, Rudulph had already called Guillot out on Twitter, saying: “The winner in race #1 from Aqueduct is the perfect example of my issue with horse racing. The winning trainer is a disgusting and racist man. But, if you want to make money in this game you have to be able to ignore that stuff. I can't do it. But y'all carry on with your $11.”

Guillot has posted bigoted or racially tinged comments in the past, including a Tweet in August 2020 saying he had given another horse the name “Uncle Ken's Cabin,” an obvious reference to the Harriet Beecher Stowe novel about slavery. When asked, Guillot said he didn't recall the Tweet.

On Saturday morning, The Jockey Club issued the following statement: “The Jockey Club was notified yesterday that the name Grape Soda, which was approved for a 2018 gelding, was potentially offensive. Upon review we have confirmed that the name is ineligible under Rule 6.F.11. of the Principal Rules and Requirements of The American Stud Book, and we have begun the name change process in consultation with the current owner, which must be completed as soon as possible.”

By early afternoon, the horse's new owner, Roman, told Daily Racing Form's David Grening that the name Respect for All had been approved by The Jockey Club and that he will donate 10% of the gelding's future earnings to the Backstretch Employee Service Team at New York Racing Association tracks. Within hours, the name change was reflected at Equibase, the industry's official database.

But the ripple effects had just begun.

David O'Rourke, president and CEO of the New York Racing Association, issued the following statement: “Racism is completely unacceptable in all forms. NYRA rejects Eric Guillot's toxic words and divisive behavior in the strongest terms. At this time, he will no longer be permitted to enter horses at any NYRA track nor will he be allocated stalls on NYRA grounds. In addition, we will review what further steps may be available to us. Our racing community is diverse, and we stand for inclusion.”

Rudulph's employer, TVG, took its Guillot ban one step further, saying it would not televise any races in which Guillot is participating.

“TVG commends NYRA for taking swift action on the matter involving Eric Guillot,” a company statement said. “There is simply no place in society for racism and we condemn his behavior, a deliberate attempt to slur one of our employees, in the strongest terms. Our network will no longer air races in which he has an entry. We also commend the action by new owner Larry Roman to change the horse's name. We will continue to work toward making racing more inclusive and to attracting a new generation of fans to the sport.”

The Stronach Group and 1/ST Racing chief operating officer Aidan Butler also said Guillot would not be welcome at the company's tracks in California, Maryland or Florida.

“1/ST Racing stands firmly against the inexcusable actions of trainer Eric Guillot,” Butler said. “There is no place in the sport of Thoroughbred racing for racism in any form. Our company will not tolerate the use of hateful and divisive language or behavior.

“1/ST Racing agrees fully with the New York Racing Association's move to ban Mr. Guillot from racing and will take the same action,” added Butler. “Mr. Guillot is no longer welcomed at any 1/ST RACING track.”

Guillot, who only started nine runners in 2020 and 19 the year before that, posted a video on Twitter on Saturday saying that he has now retired from training. Licensed since, 1991, Guillot has won 259 races from 2,348 starts. He's won 19 graded stakes, the most recent coming in 2016 with Laoban in the G2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga.

When reached by the Paulick Report, Guillot said the entire matter has been overblown, stating nothing would have happened if the horse had finished second in Friday's race.

“I didn't do anything wrong,” said Guillot, who insisted that he is not racist.

When asked why he gave the horse that specific name and said it was “in honor” of TVG's Rudulph, Guillot said, “I was just teasing him. It wasn't meant in a harmful way.

“I did nothing wrong but be a common comedian, and my skin's a little too light to be joking about grape sodas, that's all,” Guillot said. “If Chris Rock or David Chappelle had said it, it would be OK.”

Guillot went on to blame Rudulph for starting a feud with him, calling him “pompous” and the “most privileged Black person I know. … He plays the 180-degree Black Lives Matter racist card and is as condescending as you get. It has nothing to do with me being racist. This is what he wanted; I just fueled the fire is what I did.”

Rudulph declined to comment.

The post ‘Toxic Words And Divisive Behavior’: Guillot Banned Over Horse Name, Social Media Posts appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The 3-year-old gelding by Uncle Mo, who won his debut Friday, was named Grape Soda, a racist stereoptype directed at African Americans. A Tweet on January 1 on Eric Guillot’s Twitter feed indicated that he had been named after a TVG announcer. It was clear on Twitter that most people believe Guillot was talking about Ken Rudulph, the only on-air African-American at the network.

“This colt will run next week and has unique name in honor of a TVG analyst,” Tweeted Guillot, with an emoji representing the Black Power fist. One of Guillot’s followers, Steven Kahn, Tweeted back at Guillot, “What’s his name??” Guillot responded, “GRAPE SODA.” He followed that up on January 2 with a Tweet that said, “GRAPE SODA breezed 49.3 smooooth a menthol Kool,” and an emoji with a Black hand giving the thumbs up symbol, and posted a gif of an African American man making a “shhh” motion.

After the race yesterday, Tweeted that he had named the horse after a fond childhood memory of drinking the beverage. “When I went home for Xmas my 88 year Mother got a kick out of me naming a horse after my favorite drink when I was little boy she always reminded me of it for years! I’ll send her a pic.” (Grammar and usage copied as is from Tweet.)

Reached by telephone, Guillot said that he would not comment on the issue. “I am not commenting on this stupid media-frenzied stupid (expletive) thing,” he told the TDN. “Is that what you called me about?” When the TDN said that it was indeed what we had called about, he replied, “I’ve gotten 10 calls and that’s what’s wrong with this country. I’m the furthest thing from racist. But if that’s what everybody wants to believe, go right ahead.”

The TDN subsequently asked Guillot if rumors that he had planned to retire before running this horse were true, and he confirmed that he had retired. “That was the last horse I ever ran. This has been something that’s been in the making for a while now.” At around noon on Saturday, he posted a video on Twitter which he said depicted his first day of retirement, spent “driving west” and drinking Starbucks.

The New York Racing Association was quick to ban Guillot from receiving stalls or entering horses at their tracks..

“Racism is completely unacceptable in all forms,” read a statement from NYRA President and CEO David O’Rourke. “NYRA rejects Eric Guillot’s toxic words and divisive behavior in the strongest terms. At this time, he will no longer be permitted to enter horses at any NYRA track nor will he be allocated stalls on NYRA grounds. In addition, we will review what further steps may be available to us. Our racing community is diverse, and we stand for inclusion.”

As of Friday, Guillot had four stalls at Belmont. They had been vacated by Saturday.

Aidan Butler, the Chief Operating Officer at the Stronach Group’s 1/ST Racing, said that Guillot would no longer be welcome at their tracks, either. “1/ST RACING stands firmly against the inexcusable actions of trainer Eric Guillot,” said Butler in a statement emailed to the media. “There is no place in the sport of Thoroughbred racing for racism in any form. Our company will not tolerate the use of hateful and divisive language or behavior. 1/ST RACING agrees fully with the New York Racing Association’s move to ban Mr. Guillot from racing and will take the same action. Mr. Guillot is no longer welcomed at any 1/ST RACING track.” Stronach tracks include Santa Anita, Golden Gate, Gulfstream, Laurel and Pimlico.

The Jockey Club issued a statement Saturday morning that said that the naming of the horse violated the harassment policy in the American Stud Book.

“The Jockey Club was notified yesterday that the name Grape Soda, which was approved for a 2018 gelding, was potentially offensive. Upon review we have confirmed that the name is ineligible under Rule 6.F.11. of the Principal Rules and Requirements of The American Stud Book, and we have begun the name change process in consultation with the current owner, which must be completed as soon as possible.”

Rule 6.F.11 prohibits using, “Names that appear to be designed to harass, humiliate, or disparage a specific individual, group of individuals, or entity.”

The horse was claimed in his start Friday by owner Lawrence Roman and trainer Rob Atras. Reached by telephone Saturday morning, Roman said he was very upset to learn what the horse’s name meant.

“I will absolutely change the horse’s name,” said Roman. “I had no idea this was a slur. I don’t want a name like that. I am very conscious of things like that. I will be calling my trainer immediately and doing whatever we can do to get his name changed. It’s despicable that someone would name a horse for those reasons. You don’t do that. We have enough problems as it is in the world. I promise you that that horse will not race again under that name.”

Roman later reported that he planned to rename the gelding “Respect For All,” and that he would donate 10% of the horse’s earnings to New York racing backstretch workers.

“I want to do this so something good comes out of something bad,” said Roman.

By 1 p.m., The Jockey Club had announced that they had approved the new name.

Before being claimed, the gelding was owned by Cypress Creek Equine. Cypress Creek’s Kevin Moody issued a statement through a spokesperson. “Cypress Creek Equine would like to denounce the actions of their former trainer Eric Guillot,” the statement said. “Mr. Guillot will no longer train for or represent Cypress Creek Equine due to his action on social media. Cypress Creek apologizes for any ill feelings and does not condone this type of behavior.” The spokesperson said that the horse had originally been named Kirkstetter, and a Jockey Club spokesman confirmed that the horse’s name had been changed Dec. 29, 2020.

Ken Rudulph told the TDN that he did not wish to comment directly on the story, but did engage in conversations on Twitter with some of his followers.

“The winner in race #1 from Aqueduct is the perfect example of my issue with horse racing,” he Tweeted Friday after the race had been run. “The winning trainer is a disgusting and racist man. But, if you want to make money in this game you have to be able to ignore that stuff. I can’t do it. But y’all carry on with your $11.” Grape Soda paid $11.20 to win.

In addition to many messages of support, Rudulph got some pushback on Twitter, including one person who wrote, “It was a horse. Let it go.”

Rudulph reacted Saturday. “Y’all sent lots of angry tweets and DM’s my way. Received text messages from friends and colleagues. Many viewers attacked and questioned my perspective. I told you that horse racing has a TON of racists hiding in plain sight. Now…what are you gonna do about it? Let’s go.”

Rudulph’s network, TVG, put out a statement as well from CEO Kip Levin, which read: “TVG commends NYRA for taking swift action on the matter involving Eric Guillot. There is simply no place in society for racism and we condemn his behavior, a deliberate attempt to slur one of our employees, in the strongest terms. Our network will no longer air races in which he has an entry. We also commend the action by new owner Larry Roman to change the horse’s name. We will continue to work toward making racing more inclusive and to attracting a new generation of fans to the sport.”

Joe Appelbaum, the head of New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, said, “Racism, whether overt implicit, has no place in our community. NYTHA is working with The Jockey Club and the new owner and we are hopeful that a name change will be coming shortly. What is wrong with people? It would be so much easier to just be nice to everybody.”

Additional reporting by Sue Finley

The post Guillot Horse With Racist Name Wins At Aqueduct, Sparks Outrage appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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In the Breeders' Cup Buzz, we're asking some notable Thoroughbred industry names about their experiences with the event and a few hypothetical questions tied to the races.

This week, we ask horseplayers to recall their most memorable Breeders' Cup handicapping scores. What made them important differed from person to person, from how much a winning ticket paid out to factors that made it more about the moral victory than the financial one.

Rachel McLaughlin – Indiana Grand, Racing Analyst and Production Manager

“Little Mike in The Breeders' Cup Turf in 2012 stands out to me in my mind because it was early on in my career.

“I had been an intern before that, and knowing how to read a program and handicap a race is a little different than ticket construction. With all the hats I wear during racing, I rarely ever get to slow down and make a bet. We go all-out for Breeders' Cup, so I remember this not only for the big price, but because it was one of the first times all year (on an event day) that I really made a point to stop and put some money on a horse.

“The Turf Classic win at Churchill Downs (in May) had me watching Little Mike, and when he won the Arlington Million (in August) I thought 'Okay, he looks a little bit like he bounces.' So after he ran fifth at Belmont (in the G1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes) I decided that's my longshot bet.

“All my degenerate gamblers (as I call them in a loving way) said I was crazy. I figured he would hit the board, but when he won, I was the queen of the degenerates that day! The new girl picked the $36 winner. It was probably beginner's luck, but it was the biggest ticket I had ever cashed at the time.”

Barry Spears – The Sniper

“One of my most memorable Breeders' Cup scores – by far – came in the 2014 Breeders' Cup Saturday early Pick 4.

“The day before, I had taken a really bad beat when Luck of the Kitten had lost the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf to Hootenanny, and on Saturday, I was looking for revenge.

“Coming into the races that Saturday, I really was not too enthusiastic about the early part of the Breeders' Cup menu. I decided to play small and go after the horse I liked the most on the day, which was Toast of New York in the Breeders' Cup Classic. My second-best opinion that day, Bobby's Kitten, happened to be in the fourth championship race of the day and the anchor leg of the early Pick 4.

“I looked at the early races for only a few minutes and became conflicted on whether or not I should even play an early Pick 4 ticket. I decided to play, but I did not want to play a large ticket because I had bigger aspirations for later in the card. I eventually settled in and punched a ticket for $24. The last horse I included on my ticket, Take Charge Brandi, won the first race of the sequence which was the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at 60-1. The next race, the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, was won by Dayatthespa fairly easily at 5-1.

“I was feeling pretty good, but not expecting to hit at this point because I was two horses by a single in the final two legs of the wager. I really felt I did not have enough coverage in the third leg of the bet, the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. I really had to sweat that one out as Judy The Beauty outlasted Better Lucky by a long head at 3/1.

“At this point, I really did not have an inkling of what the bet could possibly pay to my single, Bobby's Kitten in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. I decided to check the will pays and it flashed up $32,000, and I could not believe my eyes.

“At the time, I was at home with my then 1-year-old daughter watching and playing the races. When I saw what the potential payoff was, I decided to not call my wife unless I won and proceeded to talk to a 1-year-old about how big this could pay with no embarrassment at all.

“To make a long story short, Bobby's Kitten rallied from dead last to get up for the victory in the final jump. Despite my stake in the race financially, it was one of the best races I have ever seen. My daughter and I went absolutely crazy, screaming and yelling for a good 20 minutes. We both lost our voices. The two of us were so loud that the neighbors had called the police to make sure nothing was really wrong at the house. It most certainly was a Breeders' Cup Day and score that I will never forget.”

Ken Rudulph – TVG Host/Racing Analyst

“I am always pumped up and emotional for big races. That feeling gets amplified when I have a runner in the race. In 2006 at Churchill Downs, I had a runner in 2005 Derby winner Giacomo and I really wanted him to win. Like, REALLY wanted him to win.

“Giacomo and me are aligned in so many ways. But, mainly, I felt we were both being overlooked, underestimated, and disregarded. I wanted my boy to show the world that he was not a one-hit wonder. I was so wrapped up in him that I forgot I was alive in the late double. In the previous race on the turf, I absolutely loved Red Rocks, not because I am a genius handicapper but because my colleagues couldn't stop raving about how he was working leading up to the John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf. He was 10-1, so I made a $5 win wager and used him with Scorpion and English Channel to Brother Derek, Invasor, and Giacomo in the late double.

“The win wager got me back to even for the day but I was just waiting for redemption in the Classic – a win wager, double, and trifectas, and an ambitious superfecta all hanging in the balance.

“I am standing near the final turn coming for home so I get a great view of the horses running past me. As they load in, my chest starts to swell and I can feel it all coming up, my eyes are full of tears. Muttering softly, 'Go get those *expletive deleted*.' I wanted Giacomo to win so badly, or even just be competitive.

“They turn for home and Giacomo has been last most of the way, but he still comes with that classic turn of foot and Mike Smith is giving him every chance. I can tell he is no threat to the winner, as Invasor had taken over in the stretch. Giacomo runs into the superfecta, which I do not have. Premium Tap ruined that.

“I am so emotionally spent from clenching every orifice in my body that I completely forgot that I had Invasor in my late double. It paid $191, which is nothing to brag about. But, it's one of the most memorable days of my life. It was the day I actually realized that I love horses.”

Trey Stiles – National Horseplayers Championship Hall of Famer

“My most memorable Breeders' Cup was not a 'big score,' but rather the year I picked a 20-1 winner four weeks in advance of the race.

“Sure, I have had some decent Breeders' Cup scores at the windows over the years. However, my most memorable Breeders' Cup race came from an article I wrote for HorsePlayer Magazine for the 2011 Filly and Mare Sprint at Churchill Downs.

“Because of my NHC qualification streak, I had been asked to write Breeders' Cup and Kentucky Derby articles for HorsePlayer for a few years. I did well, but usually landed on one of the logical favorites. The 2011 Filly and Mare Sprint was different.

“A lawyer I occasionally worked with on cases was part-owner of a horse named Musical Romance. I began to follow the horse closely in early 2011. She ran a lot that year – 14 times – but she really took her game to another level toward the end of 2011. She won the G2 Presque Isle Masters and in the last prep before the Breeders' Cup, she lost the G2 Thoroughbred Club of America by a nose. As I noted in my analysis, she ran against a speed bias and nearly closed for the win in the TCA.

“Her rise must have been unexpected to the owners as well, as she was not nominated to the Breeders' Cup. My article had to be submitted a month before the race for publication and distribution purposes. I decided to risk it and include a longshot that was not even Breeders' Cup-nominated as my 'top value pick.' I gave her fair odds of 4-1, but correctly assessed, 'you'll probably get much more.'

“Fortunately, the owners decided to pay the supplemental fee and she was entered into the race. She paid $42.20 to win.

“I remember loading up on her to win and in the exotics, but I couldn't tell you how much I won. I was much more excited about tabbing the 20-1 winner in print a month before the race. Since this time, my NHC streak has continued and I have had many opportunities to offer race analysis. This includes as co-host of the Sam Houston Race Park pre-race analysis show the past two years which I have really enjoyed. I think it all started gaining momentum for me with the 2011 Filly and Mare Sprint, making it my most memorable Breeders' Cup race.”

The post Breeders’ Cup Buzz Presented By Del Mar Ship & Win: Biggest Handicapping Coups? appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Throughout the week, TVG will be airing analysis and features on the Kentucky Derby contenders including a special Kentucky Derby Profile Show which can be viewed here. Select races from Churchill Downs will be available on TVG2.

TVG will be offering a Money Back Special promotion throughout the week and will be giving money back for 2^nd and 3^rd-place finishes on win bets on multiple races each day.

New customers can take advantage of a $200 Risk Free Bet on their first win wager. For further details, go to https://www.tvg.com/promos.

TVG's Todd Schrupp, Mike Joyce, Christina Blacker and Joaquin Jamie will be reporting live from Del Mar with Simon Bray contributing to the broadcast remotely. The coverage will include exclusive interviews and analysis as Del Mar concludes its summer meet on Labor Day. There are four graded stakes scheduled including the Del Mar Debutante (GI) and Runhappy Del Mar Futurity (GI), two premier races for juveniles.

Labor Day will also mark opening day of the popular Runhappy Meet at Kentucky Downs. Caton Bredar will be live trackside on Monday. The track's boutique six-day turf meet offers $2 million per day in purses and will host the Runhappy Turf Sprint (GIII) which is part of the Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” Challenge Series and earns the winner a spot in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (GI) on November 7 at Keeneland.

Fans of international racing can tune in to TVG on Saturday morning as international superstar Enable (GB) competes in the September Stakes (GIII)  at Kempton in preparation for her fourth appearance in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (GI) in October. She won the Arc in 2017 and 2018 and was second last year. TVG's international expert Scott Hazelton will be covering the race from Los Angeles. Post time for the September Stakes is approximately 9:35 a.m. ET/6:35 a.m. PT.

In addition to Del Mar and Kentucky Downs, TVG will also be broadcasting racing from Gulfstream Park, Monmouth Park, Golden Gate and more all weekend.

The post TVG Analysts Weigh In On Kentucky Derby; ADW Offering Special Promotions appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Pastor Timothy Findley Jr., the founder of the Louisville-based Justice and Freedom Coalition, provided insight on the Derby's role in those demonstrations in the past and present on the Bleav in Horse Racing With Ken Rudulph podcast, including his case for why the race and its surrounding events should be boycotted or even canceled this year. Calls from Louisville's Black community to boycott the race reach as far back as mid-July, but they have gotten louder as the Sept. 5 race gets closer.

The Justice and Freedom Coalition is one of four groups calling for a boycott of the Kentucky Derby – joined by No Justice No Peace Louisville, the Louisville chapter of Black Lives Matter, and the national group Until Freedom – deeming it an inappropriate time to hold the event while there is unrest in Louisville. Mayor Greg Fischer announced Thursday that he would not be attending the Derby, citing the protests planned in the city for Derby week, along with the rampant spread of COVID-19.

“This cannot be a celebratory year,” Findley said. “This cannot be a festive moment, especially in light of all that has happened, so we're not only asking people to boycott the Derby, we believe the Derby should be cancelled.

“Now, to be completely realistic, we know the chances of that happening are slim to none,” he continued. “But we also know this: the eyes of the world that week, and specifically that particular day, are on Louisville, are on Churchill Downs, and this is a time for people to understand around the world that black folk in Louisville, Ky., are not happy. That valuing this race over lives, it's evil, it's wicked, and it's a symptom of a much larger problem.”

This would not be the first time that Churchill Downs has been a potential focal point in the national Black rights movement. In 1967, activists attempted to slow and halt the progress of racing at the track, going as far as to execute a sit-in through the home stretch during a race, leading the riders to pull up their mounts and cancel the race. The issue at the time was housing discrimination in Louisville ahead of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s arrival to town, and plans were made for a sit-in to happen again on a larger scale during the Kentucky Derby itself if city officials did not meet with the Black leaders.

King got the meeting with the city's leaders, and concerned the Derby sit-in would do more harm than good, he instead convinced the organizers to hold a rally in downtown Louisville. A fair housing law came to the city a year later.

Findley said the changing times also change the demands. Simply calling for a meeting with city officials would not be sufficient. The list of demands published in June (which can be found here) call for sweeping change in local and state policy.

In the short term, the groups demanded the police officers involved in Taylor's death are charged, and that a plan be laid out showing how funds will be divested from the Louisville Metro Police Department and reinvested in other community resources. Looking further, the plan calls for programs to support small Black businesses, strengthen workforce development, increase rent support, and expand absentee voting, educational opportunities, and mental health support, among many other items.

In the interview, Rudulph pointed out many of Churchill's backstretch workers are minorities and they would be adversely affected by any kind of interference with the Kentucky Derby, both in terms of income and the payoff in satisfaction for hard work coming to fruition.

Findley recalled the bus boycott in Montgomery, Ala., in 1955 and 1956 to protest public transit segregation, and the level of sacrifice it took from everyone involved – even those who stood to lose plenty – to achieve the desired goal. For nearly a year, Montgomery's Black residents refused to ride public transportation, traveling miles every day to and from work.

“Historically, anytime there was a movement regarding inequities, regarding inequality, whenever there was a movement or an action to get something done, a revolutionary moment, there was sacrifice,” Findley said. “There was always sacrifice. People talk about the Montgomery bus boycott. I often tell people, 'Who do you think was impacted?' Yes, the government was when that chokehold was put on public transportation, but understand there were people that depended on the bus to get to work, to get around, and they made sacrifices because they understood the big picture.

“That has been a part of every single movement, that yes, I have the ability to benefit from this. Yes, I take pride in this, but the bigger picture is not simply my desires, or what I want,” he continued. “The bigger picture is the people, the oppressed people, what is right and what is wrong. I would argue that from a spiritual standpoint, from a natural standpoint, if we're going to see change, if a movement is going to be effective, there is going to have to be sacrifices from people who have a vested interest in certain aspects that are going to be moved against.”

Listen to the full interview on Bleav in Horse Racing With Ken Rudulph.

The post ‘This Cannot Be A Celebratory Year’: Why Are Members Of Louisville’s Black Community Calling For A Kentucky Derby Boycott? appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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