Equibase corrects Kentucky Derby chart

The official chart of the 2009 Kentucky Derby has been redistributed after Equibase, the Thoroughbred industry's data-collection agency, corrected an error that had transposed the half-mile and three-quarters points of call for the field, according to the company.

The error was discovered after Steve Haskin, a racing correspondent for the Blood-Horse magazine, wrote in a blog entry over the weekend that the Derby chart incorrectly listed Hold Me Back as fifth a half-mile into the race, according to Chuck Scaravilli, Equibase's vice president of track and field operations. Equibase officials then analyzed video and still photos of the race and determined that Hold Me Back was 13th after a half-mile, and that the calls at the half-mile and three-quarters points of call for all horses had been transposed as a result of a "clerical error," according to Scaravilli.

"It's amazing it hadn't been caught yet," Scaravilli said. "It's corrected now, and everyone should have the new chart. There's no ego involved here. We made a mistake. If we find an error, we correct it, whether it's the next day or three years from now."

No finish positions in the May 2 Kentucky Derby were affected. Hold Me Back, who wound up 12th of 19 starters, finished second in last Saturday's Grade 1 Travers Stakes.