Hoss Talk

Considering what jockey Jose Santos has been through lately, he's deserving of the Triple Crown.

After winning the Kentucky Derby, an article ran in the Miami Herald, accusing him of wrongdoing. The story was based on a photo of the rider waving his arm in joy after the victory.

In the photo a dark area in Santos' right hand had been assumed to be an electrical device. Investigation revealed nothing more than the silks on jockey Jerry Bailey and the ear of his mount Empire Maker on the other side of Santos' hand.

Santos, a native of Chile, told a reporter in his thick Spanish accent about a call to an outrider, which did not make sense because jockeys do not call outriders. The story should never have gone to press. Research and perhaps an interpreter would have nipped it in the bud.

What happened to Santos was deplorable. Now, instead of being known as a talented jockey, he will be remembered as that rider who was once accused of carrying an illegal device in North America's biggest horse race. He deserves better than that.

- Fourteen riders were handed $500 US fines for displaying the jockeys guild logo on their pants during the Kentucky Derby. Kentucky racing regulations state that "advertising, promotional or cartoon symbols or wording which ... are not in keeping with the traditions of the Turf are prohibited. Look for an appeal by the guild.

- Jockey Fernando Serna, who suffered broken bones in his pelvis when Sharp Image flipped him behind the starting gate, is recovering rapidly. "In a way, I was very lucky. The four bones I broke were not displaced so there was no need for an operation. The doctors told me I could be back at work doing therapy in six weeks," said Serna. twolski@shaw.ca

Wolski can be seen on the Sport of Kings, 11 a.m. Saturday on Citytv
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Vancouver Province
E-mail Tommy Wolski at twolski@home.com