The non-racing press has published the issue.
OopsâŠ
Thank goodness for the outriders, but I can only imagine what a heart-in-the-throat moment that was for everyone involved.
Results from the necropsy have not been released yet.
Lord Miles is scratched which means Mandarin Hero is in the Derby.
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All of Saffieâs horse have been mandatory scratches.
âThe Kentucky Horse Racing Commissionâs Board of Stewards confirmed on Thursday that all horses trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. will be scratched effective immediately and until further notice.â
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As well they should. I empathize with them. I canât wrap my head around actually have a horse qualify for the Derby, draw in, be on the grounds and sound and ready to roll and be forced to scratch because someone elseâs horse died but it has to be done.
I am trying to think if I can remember a time in my career when a track had two horses just drop dead for no apparent reason twice in the same year. It may have happened but not that I can think of. But to have it happen the same week is crazy. Then the same owner and trainer? Uh that is a forest fire of red flags. My guess is they will never figure out why they died but the process needs to be seen through regardless.
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Latest update.
CDI has suspended Saffie & company.
âTrainer 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 Josephâs 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.â
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The fillies are getting in on the âdrop your riderâ game as well.
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Mayhem!
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The difference is that Bafferts horses can still collect purses in Derby prep races, and his others have been transferred via paper to other trainers so they CAN race in the Derby. His barn was not closed down and all were still allowed to race, back when he had those 9 deaths and was administering thyroL to horses who were not diagnosed with thryroid problems.
Not sticking up for Saffie because apparently he doesnât have the best reputation, but I donât know himâŠbut I believe in innocent til proven guilty, but just saying, his situation is a lot more of a huge money loss than was ever given to Baffert. His horses have been scratched in totality from every race at CD and he had about 10 I think? No transfer to paper trainers, like Baffert, and therefore no purse money at all to any of the connections. I hate the idea that other low-hanging fruit are doing penance for Baffertâs discretions in some manner. We may find out something nefarious occured, or who even knows
Meanwhile we know that sudden deaths often cannot be attributed to clear reasons and we may never know the reasons for these deaths via necropsy.
I would have to know more about this trainerâs record and if any of the almost 4,000 horses heâs trained have dropped dead.
For starters he has had 3800 starts not 3800 horses. As to the rest of it we will agree to disagree. If you waited until he was proven guilty and his horse dropped dead on the biggest stage in the entire industry that would be catastrophic
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Now we wait to hear if the favorite is scratched today.
Skinner has been scratched (elevated temperature) so the field goes down to 19.
Is anyone else watching the Oaks coverage on USA Today? There has been major advertising for viagra clones. I find it odd. What I find astonishing is 9 Viagra pills cost more than $400!
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What did I miss?
Why would he be scratched?
What I find amazing is that there is so much focus in the drug world on having someone do what their body is clearly saying that they need to stop doing. But, itâs for men, and this is a big deal, so there you have it.
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I used do this huge handicapping tip sheet for family and friends. Since covid, I havenât been doing it.
At the last minute I decided I was going to start it up again this year. No way. This sh*t is bananas. A lukewarm undefeated favorite, 20% of the field trained by Brad Cox, 3 Japanese horses, all the AEs in the field, a bunch of banned trainers, scratches galore, loose horses⊠oy vey.
Whoops, canât even post without missing yet another scratch. Make that 2 Japanese horses.
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Any chance of you sharing it with your COTH friends and family? 
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