Churchill finds riders

Churchill finds riders

Jockeys have been named to ride every horse entered on the

racing programs Wednesday and Thursday

at Churchill Downs. The track ejected 15 riders for the

remainder of the meet on Sunday when they refused to commit to

participate in those races.

A total of 121 horses were entered for Wednesday and 126 for

Thursday, both 10-race programs. Fifteen members of the local

jockey colony, including all-time Churchill win leader Pat Day,

Brice Blanc, Brian Hernandez, John McKee, Eddie Martin Jr. and

Larry Melancon, agreed to accept mounts and honor their riding

calls through the rest of the meet. Wednesday and Thursday's

entries also contain several unfamiliar jockey names for fans who

only follow the Kentucky circuit.

The jockeys banned for the remaining 14 days of the 21-day

meet are Robby Albarado, Rafael Bejarano, Calvin Borel, Dean

Butler, Jesus Castanon, Joe Deegan, Mark Guidry, Jeff Johnston,

Willie Martinez, Orlando Mojica, Brian Peck, Craig Perret, Dean

Sarvis, Justin Shepherd and Eddie Zuniga.