Kentucky Derby-winning trainer suspended for alleged possession of needle, syringe
In 2009, Mine That Bird won the Kentucky Derby as a 50-1 shot for trainer Bennie L. “Chip” Woolley Jr.
On Tuesday, Woolley was suspended six months by stewards at Turf Paradise for alleged “possession of an illegal needle and syringe,” the BloodHorse reported.
During a Feb. 8 pre-race examination, a veterinarian observed Woolley or an assistant in his barn in possession of the needle and syringe. Woolley’s horses were scratched from races that day at the Phoenix track and the trainer was summarily suspended.
“What I’ve been told,” Turf Paradise General Manager Vincent Francia told the Paulick Report, “is a state vet entered Mr. Woolley’s barn and in doing so saw someone, and I’m not sure who, because Mr. Woolley was present and his assistant was present, but one of them had a syringe. I was told the vet was there for pre-race inspection of horses Mr. Woolley had entered that day.”
In a steward’s hearing Tuesday, the 58-year-old Woolley was given the 180-day suspension, plus fined $2,500 and given a $625 surcharge to the Race Horse Adoption Fund. He told the BloodHorse he was evaluating his legal options.
Last year, Woolley’s 280 starters earned $617,950. It was the best year for the trainer since 2009 when, thanks in part to Mine That Bird’s Derby win, Woolley’s starters earned over $2 million. Mine That Bird ran second in the Preakness and third in the Belmont that year.
This year, Woolley’s stable has earned $85,376 with three winners in 30 starts.
