'NOT ACCEPTABLE'
Huge Kentucky Derby controversy after fans spot jockey touching rival’s horse in $3.1 million photo finish
A review is scheduled for Thursday involving jockey Tyler Gaffalione
THE 150th Kentucky Derby ended in a dramatic photo finish on Saturday.
The narrowest of leads over Sierra Leone and Forever Young was enough to give Mystik Dan the win, worth an eye-watering $3.1 million.
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However, controversy has since rocked the runners-up after snaps emerged online appearing to show contact between Forever Young's jockey, Tyler Gaffalione, in third and Sierra Leone while on the final straightaway.
"It's what Sierra Leone did in the Remsen, it's what he did in the Blue Grass, he lugs in like that," noted NBC Sports' Randy Moss, as per the Express.
Moss also added that he believed Forever Young's team, including jockey Ryusei Sakai, could have been subject to a foul claim as a result.
Despite this, no such claim has been made.
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"Claims of foul do not happen much in Japan," Hiroshi Ando, who works as the racing manager for Forever Young's trainer Yoshito Yahagi, said per USA Today.
"It is the stewards' call, not us."
This revelation has gone on to draw a mixed reaction from fans on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"Saw that live and was shocked no one mentioned it or there wasn't a stewards inquiry," one fan said.
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"SL was lugging in you can see how closer and closer they getting to the rail," a second replied.
"This cost FY to win the race because he [had to] use a lot of energy to keep SL and if they both ran straight they could have easily passed MD."
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Another fan suggested, "That jockey should be suspended and the horse disqualified. This is not acceptable."
While a fourth responded, "Looks like both horses initiated contact several times. Still shots are misleading.
"No change was the correct call."
Ultimately, discipline could still be headed Gaffalione's way, after the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission released a statement revealing that he must attend a "film review" with stewards on Thursday, as per USA Today.
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"Stewards conduct film reviews routinely to review the conduct of jockeys during a race," it said.
"The stewards, in their discretion, can take disciplinary action against a jockey following the review."
Following the race, Gaffalione reportedly said Sierra Leone "wanted to lean in today and made it a little difficult.
"I had a hard time keeping him straight, and that definitely cost us. He gives you everything, very responsive, but he loses concentration."
Claims of foul do not happen much in Japan. It is the stewards' call, not us.
Hiroshi Ando
As for the lack of an inquiry post-race regarding what proved to be the battle for second, the KHRC said stewards did review the race both "live and by video replay" before they posted the official results.
"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."
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Sierra Leone's team pocketed $1 million for their second-placed finish.
As for Forever Young's, they left with $500,000 in winnings.
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