Chief steward addresses Kentucky Downs scratch controversy

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Chief steward Barbara Borden said proper protocol was followed in the last race Wednesday at turf-only Kentucky Downs in south-central Kentucky when bettors who backed a heavily favored Godolphin entry came away frustrated when one of the horses was scratched.

Soft Touch was scratched at the gate after flipping over, but unlike in other states such as New York where the remaining half of the entry runs for purse money only, there is no such provision in Kentucky, said Borden.

Shortly after Soft Touch was scratched, her entrymate, Already Charming, also fell over behind the gate.

“She hit the ground real hard,” her jockey, Florent Geroux, said Thursday, “but she did not hurt herself.”

After being examined, Already Charming was allowed to start as the 13-10 favorite, fading badly to finish last after leading early. Borden said deciding whether a horse should be allowed to start in such cases is strictly at the discretion of the state veterinarian.