Boycott Planned
“Most of the top jockeys at Churchill Downs told their agents not to name them on horses for the Wednesday card, further inflaming a controversy that promises to have widespread ramifications over the national issue of sufficient insurance coverage for jockeys.” (Daily Racing Form)
More: The situation took an ugly turn Sunday afternoon. Jockey Shane Sellers, who left racing last month over insurance concerns, was handcuffed and escorted from the Churchill Downs’ jockeys room, where he was visiting with riders. Churchill officials also ejected Rafael Bejarano, Robby Albarado, Calvin Borel, Mark Guidry and Willie Martinez. All are barred from racing or even appearing at the track through the conclusion of the meet. (ESPN)
Sellers tells Bill Christine: “Now they do this to me. It was a real slap in the face. The fans saw me led away from there like that, and some of my fellow riders were crying about it. It was embarrassing, degrading, absurd — all those things. I gave up 13 years of my life to ride at Churchill Downs.” (LA Times)
