Kentucky Derby taking place under shadow of 4 horse deaths, trainer suspension

Churchill Downs suspended trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. indefinitely and Lord Miles, who is trained by Joseph, was scratched from the Kentucky Derby on Thursday, as part of the fallout from four horse deaths in the past week as horse racing's Triple Crown chase begins.

The suspension prohibits Joseph, or any trainer directly or indirectly employed by him, from entering horses in races or applying for stalls at all Churchill Downs Inc.-owned tracks.

The decision comes after the deaths of Parents Pride on Saturday and Chasing Artie on Tuesday. Both collapsed on the track and died after races.

"Given the unexplained sudden deaths, we have reasonable concerns about the condition of his horses, and decided to suspend him indefinitely until details are analyzed and understood," Bill Mudd, CDI president and chief operating officer, said in a statement.

"The safety of our equine and human athletes and integrity of our sport is our highest priority. We feel these measures are our duty and responsibility."

Investigators have yet to find any cause in the deaths of Joseph's two horses in a 72-hour span, along with two others over the past week. Besides Joseph's horses, Derby long shot Wild On Ice and three-year-old filly Take Charge Briana were each euthanized after they broke down with musculoskeletal injuries during training or racing at Churchill Downs.

The four deaths have cast a pall over Churchill Downs in the final preparations for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.

"This is the worst part of the game," said Mike Repole, co-owner of early Derby favourite Forte. "It's very sad."

Joseph said earlier Thursday he was questioned by investigators from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and Churchill Downs.

"They found no wrongdoing on