LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, CMC—Ace Barbadian trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said he was simply happy to be a part of the milestone 150th Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs in the United States because last year, about this time, he was not sure he might have gotten another chance.
The 37-year-old has returned to be a part of the U.S. $5 million Grade 1 derby one year after being indefinitely suspended by authorities at the iconic racetrack because two of his horses died suddenly in the days leading up to the classic.
Joseph’s planned Derby participant last year, Lord Miles, did not get the opportunity to race last year after being scratched by the Churchill Downs stewards following the sudden deaths of stablemates, Parents Pride and Chasing Artie.
“What happened was very concerning, and then to have that and be suspended, that wasn’t the right approach, I thought,” Joseph told reporters on Wednesday between working out horses at the racetrack.
“It crushed me because I love my horses. I love what I do, and then to be portrayed that way… That was frustrating, but in the end, they got the truth. The truth prevailed. God is good, and He continues to be strong.”
Parents Pride and Chasing Artie were among 12 horses who died at Churchill Downs during a six-week period last spring. The track decided to suspend racing operations and move the remainder of its spring meet to nearby Ellis Park.
Joseph was cleared of wrongdoing after an investigation and reinstated two months later. Still, the long wait for the results of the necropsies on the two horses—both owned by Hall of Famer Ken Ramsey—and the stigma attached was bothersome.
“You have family support, but you must have a higher power blessing you,” he added. “You don’t get over something like that mentally. It wrecks you.
“You have two choices – you either give up or keep going. We kept going, and the truth prevailed. We knew we didn’t do anything (wrong). We were confident in that.”
Joseph felt he was a “scapegoat” for a spike in fatalities last year at Churchill Downs Derby, but he was satisfied with the improved safety measures at the track, including routine veterinarian inspections. He conceded that horse deaths cannot be prevented completely.
“It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen,” Joseph said of unexplained horse deaths. “You can only minimize it. You’re never going to prevent all of them. It’s just like humans. The reality is we all have a time to go.
“We always have to do better and get better. Suppose we’re not trying to improve every year, adding new factors, and finding reasons for becoming complacent. We always need to improve, and I think we’re on the right path.”
Hopes of Joseph causing an upset in the derby rest with Catalytic, whose consolation for finishing 13-1/2 lengths in second behind Florida Derby winner, Fierceness was earning 50 qualifying points into the 20-horse Run for the Roses.
Catalytic, the son of Catalina Cruiser and One Show Only by Distorted Humour, is a 30-1 long shot and will start from the No. 5 stall, while Fierceness is the 5-2 morning line favorite in the lucrative race, which will be contested over 2 000 meters on the dirt course.
“It’s amazing how God works in mysterious ways,” he said. “Here we are back with a different horse right after. You can’t even make it up… I’m just thankful to be back. If you don’t believe, believe.”
Joseph, an established riding compatriot, and Rocco Bowen will fly the Caribbean flag over the two days of racing that culminate with the derby.
The champion trainer at Gulfstream Park in Florida is also interested in U.S. $1 million Grade 1 Derby City Distaff Stakes over seven furlongs on the dirt course on Saturday, when he will saddle Spirit Wind, to be ridden by Jose Ortiz.
In addition, he will saddle Abrumar, to be ridden by Paco Lopez, in the U.S. $600 000, Grade American Turf Stakes over 1 700m on the turf course.
The two Barbadians will go head-to-head on Friday in the U.S. $600 000, Grade 2 Eight Belles Stakes, to be contested over seven furlongs on the dirt, with R Harper Rose, under Tyler Gaffalione, challenging All Things Go under Bowen, who also be aboard Frosty O Toole in the U.S. $1 million, Grade 1 Fasig-Tipton La Troienne Stakes on the same day.
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