Borel, Castellano meet with stewards

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Stewards met with jockeys Javier Castellano and Calvin Borel late Saturday morning for their parts in a roughly-contested Breeders’ Cup Marathon on Friday at Churchill Downs, and a fight that ensued between the two jockeys in the winner’s circle after the race.

An official ruling on at least the running of the Marathon will be publicly released on Sunday, with Castellano likely to face repercussions for his Marathon ride on Prince Will I Am, who was disqualified from second and placed 10th for causing interference on the final turn.

His move to secure room on Prince Will I Am caused Romp, with Martin Garcia aboard, to clip heels, nearly resulting in a spill. The incident also impacted the run of A. U. Miner, who was forced to take up under Borel to avoid a staggering Romp.

A. U. Miner rallied to cross the wire fourth, before being moved up to third on disqualification, behind victorious Eldaafer and pacesetting Gabriel’s Hill.
Borel likely faces a penalty from the stewards for his part in the aftermath that followed, and perhaps Castellano, as well. After both riders dismounted, Borel confronted Castallano, and in front of a national television audience, a melee ensued, with Borel and Castellano trading shoves and punches and a livid Borel shouting expletives and threats.

Although the jockeys are entitled to a formal hearing regarding the fight next Saturday if either chooses, chief steward John Veitch said “they indicated they will refuse the formal hearing, and when we receive the paperwork on that, we will execute a ruling with the penalties involved.”