California Chrome's part-owner Steve Coburn takes shot at Churchill Downs
California Chrome handed nine foes a beating in Saturday's Preakness Stakes at Pimlico. One of the colt's owners schooled Churchill Downs in the winner's circle after the race.
"On behalf of me, and my partner Perry Martin who's not here with us today ... I just want to thank the people of Maryland for all the hospitality they've shown us," Steve Coburn said. "Churchill, you need to take a lesson on this. You really, really do.
"Because these people have been absolutely fabulous. On behalf of our military and the partnership of Dumb Ass Partners, DAP Racing, I say thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
Reports on why Coburn and Martin were dissatisfied began to surface later Saturday.
The New York Times reported Martin stayed behind to take care of his business. Additionally, however, the Times said Martin had issues trying to get his 83-year-old mother around Churchill in a wheelchair.
Post-race Coburn reiterated his winner's circle complaint.
The home of the Kentucky Derby responded with a statement:
"We’re disappointed the overall experience for the owners of California Chrome apparently did not measure up to the stellar performance of their horse in the Kentucky Derby. We have an excellent and veteran team of volunteers from throughout our community that serve as official Kentucky Derby hosts and they work tirelessly to communicate with owners and trainers and to help guide them through the Kentucky Derby Week experience. Our team worked to satisfy the California Chrome team’s needs when they were communicated to us and regret that their experience at Churchill Downs appears to have fallen short of expectations. We would certainly look forward to discussing with them any issues stemming from their Derby experience, and wish California Chrome and his team to best in their pursuit of the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes.”
This isn't the first time the site of the Kentucky Derby has come under criticism for its treatment of horsemen.
Before the Derby itself, Secretariat's jockey, Ron Turcotte blistered Churchill Downs for its treatment of him. Turcotte is a parapalegic as a result of a race-riding accident in 1978. To read that story, click here.
