Decision Made On Controversial Finish At The Kentucky Derby

06/05/2024 23:52

Sierra Leone's jockey, Tyler Gaffalione, could face discipline following Saturday's Kentucky Derby finish.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission said in a statement Monday that Gaffalione must attend "film review" on Thursday. Stewards could penalize him after reviewing his conduct during the race at Churchill Downs. 

Sierra Leone narrowly edged out Forever Young for second place behind Mystik Dan. Photos appear to show Gaffalione making contact with Forever Young and his jockey, Ryusei Sakai, during the heated finish.

However, the stewards made the Kentucky Derby results official.

"The Stewards review every race in Kentucky live and by video replay before posting it official and they followed the same procedure for the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby," the statement said, via Sports Illustrated's Pat Forde. "After conducting their standard review of the race, determining no further review or investigation was necessary to conclude there were no incidents that altered the finish of the race, and seeing there were no objections filed, the Stewards posted the Kentucky Derby official." 

Gaffalione said he was trying to keep Sierra Leone from leaning, and Sierra Leone trainer Chad Brown offered a similar explanation when defending his jockey.

"What Tyler was really attempting to do was make room for his left stick, which (Sierra Leone) really respects and keeps him straight," Brown said, per the Louisville Courier Journal's Jason Frakes. "The bumping and the tight duel between those horses disarmed him with the stick. All he had was a rein to pull on, and it really hurt his momentum."

Forever Young racing manager Hiroshi Ando said Sunday that "claims of foul do not happen much in Japan."

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission said it would announce any penalty to Gaffalione on its website. Forde speculated that if disciplined at all, Gaffalione would likely receive no more than a short suspension.