Source: No signs jockey cheated in Derby
— -- LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Churchill Downs stewards pored overscores of photos and videotape of jockey Jose Santos this weekend,but were unable to find any evidence he cheated in winning theKentucky Derby aboard Funny Cide, a racing official said Monday oncondition of anonymity.
The stewards also searched the racetrack and turf course whereFunny Cide and Santos crossed for postrace ceremonies and did notfind any illegal device, the source said.
Santos met with stewards, who are investigating whether he heldsomething in his hand besides his whip when he crossed the finishline on May 3.
Santos attended the Monday morning meeting with his lawyer andagent near the race track to discuss the photograph that promptedthe inquiry.
The investigation is focusing "most particularly on theactions" of Santos at the race, said chief steward Bernie Hettel,joined by stewards Rick Leigh and Jack Middleton at the meeting.
Funny Cide, a 12-1 shot, beat favorite Empire Maker by 1 3/4lengths to become the first gelding to win the Derby since 1929.
Stewards decided to investigate after The Miami Herald publishedthe photo, along with a story. A reporter from the Herald broughtthe image to the attention of the stewards Thursday night.
The Getty Images photo, which ran in several newspapers themorning after the race, depicts a dark area in the space betweenSantos' right hand and his whip. It is unclear whether the area isa shadow, the green background of another jockey's silks orsomething else.
Leigh told the Herald the photo looks "very suspicious." APphotos did not show anything else in Santos' right hand.
Race replays show that Santos switched the whip from his righthand to his left and back to his right during the finalthree-sixteenths of a mile. Funny Cide's trainer Barclay Tagg saidit would take a special jockey to pull off the feat while carryingsomething else.
"If you can move the reins and move the sticks (whip) and stillget rid of something you have to be a pretty good juggler," thetrainer said.
Related Stories
ABC News Live