Churchill Downs Reinstates Saffie Joseph, Jr.

After suspending trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. indefinitely just two days prior to the GI Kentucky Derby and ordering scratched his trainee Lord Miles (Curlin) from the Derby itself, Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has reinstated Joseph and will allow him to enter horses again at all CDI-affiliated tracks.

Two of Joseph's horses, Parents Pride (Maclean's Music) and Chasing Artie (We Miss Artie)–both owned by Ken Ramsey–had died at Churchill during Derby week from sudden-death events. A total of 12 horses had passed away over a five-week span at Churchill, prompting the Louisville track to move the remainder of the meet to Ellis Park less than a month after the Derby.

The statement from CDI appears below in full:

“Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI”) announced today that trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. will be permitted to enter horses in races and may apply for stall occupancy at all CDI-owned racetracks effective immediately. The decision follows the completion of an investigation by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (“KHRC”) and the release of necropsy reports of two of Joseph's horses that died suddenly in races at Churchill Downs.”

“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.”

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Lord Miles Won’t Go in the Preakness

Lord Miles (Curlin), who was ordered scratched from the GI Kentucky Derby by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) because he is part of the Saffie Joseph, Jr. stable, will bypass the GI Preakness S. and is unlikely to run in the GI Belmont S., Joseph said Friday. A day earlier owner Peter Vegso had told the TDN that both the Preakness and Belmont were under consideration.

The decision came after Lord Miles worked four furlongs in :49.50 Friday morning at Palm Meadows.

“He had a good work but the Preakness was never really a priority,” Joseph said. “That's where we're at with him. The Belmont comes into play because it would give us more time. We will work him twice more before making any decisions, but I might want to look at other races.”

Lord Miles was set to enter the Derby off an upset win in the GII Wood Memorial at 59-1.

Though the KHRC ordered all of Joseph's horses entered Derby week to be scratched and he was banned indefinitely by Churchill Downs, Joseph said he did not anticipate having any problems running in other jurisdictions. Churchill and the KHRC made their rulings after two horses Joseph trained died of unknown causes in the lead-up to the Derby.

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