Two more horses were scratched from the 149th Kentucky Derby on Thursday.
Lord Miles was scratched and his trainer, Saffie Joseph Jr., was suspended from Churchill Downs following the deaths of two of his horses during the last week.
According to WKYT:
Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has been suspended from Churchill Downs indefinitely following the death of two horses over the past week at Churchill Downs.
The racetrack on Thursday announced Joseph’s indefinite suspension that will prohibit him or any other trainer directly or indirectly employed by the trainer to enter horses in races or apply for stalls at the track.
The announcement came moments after Kentucky Horse Racing Commission’s Board of Stewards stated all horses trained by Joseph would be scratched effective immediately and until further notice.
This includes Derby contender Lord Miles, who was intended to run from post 19.
Tonight, Japan-based Continuar was scratched due to poor fitness.
“After evaluating the colt upon my arrival, I feel that he has not been able to reach the peak fitness required to take on a race as tough as the Kentucky Derby,” said trainer Yoshito Yahagi. “Considering the future of the horse and the fact that we cannot show the horse’s true ability in his current state, we have decided to scratch Continuar from the Kentucky Derby. I am very sorry that I cannot participate in the world’s number one horse racing festival, however I sincerely hope to return to the Derby in the future. I want to thank everyone who has supported Continuar and Yahagi Stable on this journey.”
Also eligible horses Mandarin Hero and King Russell will replace Lord Miles and Continuar in the field.
