Change Comes From Life At Ten Fiasco

On Monday, October 17, the Breeders' Cup and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission announced that they have implemented changes to their communications to ensure that a situation like what occurred in the 2010 Breeders' Cup with Life At Ten does not happen again

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A report by courier-journal.com explains that the two organizations have announced that a commission employee will monitor all radio communications between on-track personnel in addition to television coverage of the race; on-track veterinarians will wear uniforms that identify them as members of the Breeders’ Cup’s or commission’s vet team; stewards and representatives of The Jockeys' Guild will be involved in a pre-event television production meeting; and meetings will be held with jockeys’ representatives about veterinary and communication protocols.

In the 2010 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic, the John Velazquez-ridden Life At Ten went off as the second wagering choice in the high-profile race. Although, minutes before the dash, Velazquez had gone on the record during a live ESPN broadcast as saying that his filly was not warming up the way she usually did. The filly was not scratched by veterinarians before post time and ended up racing unbelievably flat in the contest before finishing up the track.

John Velazquez eventually agreed to a fine in relation to a situation, while KHRC Chief Steward John Veitch was heavily scrutinized after the incident. Veitch and the entire situation was the focus of a multi-day KHRC hearing which has yet to be ruled on. Veitch is facing a five-year suspension and $50,000 fine in regard to the incident.

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