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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