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CNN SUNDAY MORNING
Kentucky Racing Commission Launches Investigation Into Last Week's Derby
Aired May 11, 2003 - 11:06 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: The Kentucky Racing Commission has launched an investigation into the actions of winning jockey Jose Santos in last week's Kentucky Derby. A photo at the finish suggests that he may have had something other than the crop in his right hand. CNN's Matt Morrison is back with more, a little bit more, on the sports controversy. There is a whole lot to be said about this, isn't there?
MATT MORRISON, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Well, there's a lot of people hanging in the wind on this, not the least of which is the owner of Funny Cide, Jack Knowlton, and the jockey, Jose Santos. Both of whom are scheduled to meet with members of the Kentucky Racing Commission Monday in Louisville to clear this thing up, we suppose.
The members of the commission have launched an investigation based on a photograph that came to light. A "Miami Herald" reporter who wrote a story in Thursday's edition pointed out in the right hand of jockey Jose Santos, shown here, there seems to be something suspicious.
Now, the racing stewards took a look at this photograph and have determined that it's suspicious enough to launch an investigation. What that means is that they will look at all sorts of photographs, including the remainder in this sequence taken by this photographer, plus other photographs taken by photographers stationed all around the track and will examine video.
Fredricka, I think it's important to look at exactly what happens right here. That is Santos as he crosses the finish line, and he is changing the position of his crop. And it was about that time that that photograph, we surmise, was taken. And it shows that he's holding the crop nice and steady. You can watch up here after he passes the finish line and celebrates a little bit. He reaches down with his right hand. You don't see it but pats the horse along the neck with an open palm. If there was anything in it, there wasn't anymore.
So the investigation continues into the situation, and the owner, Jack Knowlton, is perplexed that this whole mess is taking place.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JACK KNOWLTON, OWNER, FUNNY CIDE: It's going to be a wonderful day for Funny Cide and all his connections, and we're greeted by Mike Sellito, Jose Santos's agent, who shows us a story off the Internet from "The Miami Herald," alleging that there was potentially some wrong-doing on the part of Jose Santos in the Kentucky Derby.
Funny Cide's victory has been called into question by irresponsible journalism and we think that that is just a travesty.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MORRISON: Well, a travesty or not, I would not call it irresponsible journalism. In the thoroughbred racing game, integrity is of the utmost importance, certainly for every track steward. And when you're talking about the biggest race in America every year, the Kentucky Derby, every angle has to be looked at. So I think the people at the track are certainly doing what they have to do, which is a thorough investigation into something they say looks suspicious.
Now, we've seen many photographs. There are others on SI.com that viewers can take a look at to make their own judgment. We've seen all sorts of video. And I don't see anything suspicious other than that one single snapshot at the finish line.
WHITFIELD: Oh my gosh, I don't know who embarrassing this is going to be for, then, if it really is proven that there's nothing else in his hand. Because that slow-mo video helps considerably. How else do you hold anything else?
MORRISON: Exactly.
WHITFIELD: I know another question a lot have, particularly those who place bets. What about that bet money? What if it turns out that...
MORRISON: Track officials said Saturday, and they backed up on this a little bit, that the wagers would not be affected. So that the running order, as finished last Saturday afternoon, will stand. If you placed your bets and collected your money, there you go. If you took the second place horse, Empiremaker, you still got a second place horse. That's what they said on Saturday.
But again, all of it will have to be determined by the end of the investigation. There was a little precedence for this. Back in 1995, the winning jockey, Gary Stevens, in the Kentucky Derby, was investigated for something somebody said looks suspicious. In his hand, it proved to be nothing, as this may or may not. Jose Santos and owner Jack Knowlton will meet tomorrow with members of the racing commission, and it should get cleared. Because, as of right now, hanging in the wind is a difficult place to be.
WHITFIELD: But in history, there's only been one other horse that's been disqualified, and that was because of a substance.
MORRISON: Right. Due to medications, back in 1968 one horse was disqualified. One hundred and twenty-nine years of the Kentucky Derby, and there's been one disqualification. I doubt it'll happen this time.
WHITFIELD: Yes. This is amazing. Thanks, Matt.
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