Valhol’s Owner Still Seeks Purse Money
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jim Jackson, whose gelding Valhol won the Arkansas Derby, sued the Arkansas Racing Commission on Monday, asking that the purse money from the race be released so that Valhol can run in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.
Arkansas authorities have withheld payment of the $300,000 winner’s share of the purse, officials at Oaklawn Park, where the Arkansas Derby was run, having made strong statements suggesting that Billy Patin, Valhol’s jockey, might have used an illegal electrical prodding device in the race.
Without his Arkansas earnings, Valhol probably won’t qualify for the Kentucky Derby. There’s a 20-horse limit in the race, with money earned in graded stakes determining the starters if more than 20 want to run. Entries are scheduled to be drawn at Churchill Downs on Wednesday.
A hearing on Jackson’s suit will be held today in Pulaski County Circuit Court in Little Rock, Ark.
An ESPN videotape of the Arkansas Derby clearly shows Patin, in pulling up Valhol after the race, dropping a small, dark object. Byron Freeland, an attorney representing the Arkansas Racing Commission, said last week that a tractor driver at Oaklawn picked up an electrical device--known around the track as a battery--in the same area.
Patin has denied that he used a battery and a hearing on that has been delayed until May 5 because his attorney requested more time to complete depositions.
Jackson, in his suit, said that payment of purses in Arkansas is due within 96 hours after a race. The Arkansas Derby was run April 10.
Valhol’s earnings could also affect other horses’ qualifying for the Kentucky Derby.
Valhol has continued to train for the Derby at Churchill Downs.
“The jock was an independent contractor,” trainer Dallas Keen said. “Yet they’re penalizing all of us--the trainer and the owner and the horse--for something the jockey may or may not have done. They’ve slurred my reputation. It’s sickening and it’s ruined the whole Derby for me. The horse deserves his chance. If he gets to run, he’ll have a good shot.”
