The Miami Herald is reporting that a photo of jockey Jose Santos shows he has some object in his hand after crossing the finish line. It could be nothing, or jewelry or something. But it does bring up the possibility of a buzzer, like what happened in the Arkansas Derby a few years ago. Hopefully there is no fould play. Only 6 months after the BC Fix 6, racing doesn't need more bad publicity.
Derby controversy??
- Thread starter Valuist
- Start date
Now that the race is being investigated, Frankel has changed his mind once again, saying Empire Maker is a go for the Preakness. If Funny Cide is DQ'd, Empire Maker could still have a shot at the Triple Crown.
That would be a triple crown with an asterisk, I would suppose. I find it hard to believe Santos would take such a chance on ruining a great career. Hell, just the fact that he has a mount in the derby, and on a very live horse would be utter stupidity to take such a chance. He must realize, with all the press and camera coverage, you are almost under a microscope at the derby. But no-one ever said jockeys were the brightest bunch.(they have a reputation of being terrible handicappers as well.)
I'm so disappointed in the demise of horse racing as a legitimate sport. I'm been a huge racing fan for over 15 years and have witnessed a cancer-like deterioration. Tracks need slot machines to stay in business, race card quality has sharply diminshed, the Breeders Cup betting scandal and now Santos is shown holding a very suspicious object in his hand. Instead of Tagg and the owners saying "this is an outrage" or Santos going silent, why not come out and tell everyone just what exactly the obvious black object was in his right hand? I'd hate to see thoroughbred racing degenerate into the sham harness racing is.
I have to agree with Skanoochies on this one. I'd be the first to say there's likely buzzer use at the smaller tracks and an unknown jock like Billy Patin may feel the need to "plug in" for a big race, but Jose Santos in the Kentucky Derby? I really find that hard to believe. First off, the black "area" (I did not say object because I don't see an object in the photo) could very well be a part of Bailey's saddlecolors since he was right behind Funny Cide in the photo.
There could be another story here, however. The corrupt Kentucky stewards, disdainful that a New York bred gelding won their crowning race, are eager to have a Kentucky blue blood be declared the winner. But they have no buzzer.....other than an outright Santos confession, I say they have nothing. Hopefully, Santos will be exonerated and the Miami Herald and Kentucky stewards better have some answers fast.
There could be another story here, however. The corrupt Kentucky stewards, disdainful that a New York bred gelding won their crowning race, are eager to have a Kentucky blue blood be declared the winner. But they have no buzzer.....other than an outright Santos confession, I say they have nothing. Hopefully, Santos will be exonerated and the Miami Herald and Kentucky stewards better have some answers fast.
It's hard to imagine that Santos would risk cheating in the Derby. There does appear to be an area where something could be in his hand. What looks unusual to me is how he is holding the whip - with his knuckles against it. Personally, I don't think anything is going to come of this. Like Valuist pointed out, they don't have a buzzer and there is no telling what he is holding from that picture (other than the whip).
It's a shame the yellow journalist who set this bogus story in motion and KY stewards of all people were too incompetent to push PLAY and watch the race....from that video you can ascertain that Santos had no electronic device, and the AP photos from slightly different angles show the same.
Unbelievable the way this was handled....
SLEW
Unbelievable the way this was handled....
SLEW
you boys are right, nothing will probably come out of this, except added doubt in the casual fan's mind about the legitimacy of thoroughbred racing today... i agree santos would be plain stupid to carry anything illegal in the derby. it's just disconcerting seeing this crap more and more in a sport i truly enjoy...
<b>Santos innocent of wrongdoing</b>
By DRF STAFF
Jockey Jose Santos has been officially cleared of any wrongdoing by the Churchill Downs stewards and the Kentucky Racing Commission regarding his ride aboard Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide. The announcement was made with Santos in attendance at a Monday afternoon press conference at Churchill Downs.
The Churchill stewards unanimously concluded that Santos was not guilty of any wrongdoing and carried nothing illegal in his hands during last Saturday's 129th running of the Kentucky Derby.
Suspicions had arisen that Santos had carried an illegal device during the running of the Kentucky Derby based on a Miami Herald article and accompanying Getty Images photo of Santos twirling his whip just past the finish line.
Kentucky racing officials poured over numerous photos and video footage of the race, and after meeting with Santos Tuesday, determined is was clear that Santos possessed nothing other than the whip in his hand.
By DRF STAFF
Jockey Jose Santos has been officially cleared of any wrongdoing by the Churchill Downs stewards and the Kentucky Racing Commission regarding his ride aboard Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide. The announcement was made with Santos in attendance at a Monday afternoon press conference at Churchill Downs.
The Churchill stewards unanimously concluded that Santos was not guilty of any wrongdoing and carried nothing illegal in his hands during last Saturday's 129th running of the Kentucky Derby.
Suspicions had arisen that Santos had carried an illegal device during the running of the Kentucky Derby based on a Miami Herald article and accompanying Getty Images photo of Santos twirling his whip just past the finish line.
Kentucky racing officials poured over numerous photos and video footage of the race, and after meeting with Santos Tuesday, determined is was clear that Santos possessed nothing other than the whip in his hand.
