On the same day that Kentucky Derby favorite Tiz the Law found out his post position for Saturday’s Run for the Roses, comments from his trainer to a group of reporters have generated controversy across the horse racing world.
“I don’t know what these guys are gonna do, these rioters,” Barclay Tagg said. “Who knows? All I know is you’re not allowed to shoot them and they’re allowed to shoot you, that’s what it looks like to me.”
Protests are planned in Louisville Saturday in reaction to the shooting death of Breonna Taylor by Louisville police.
The comment drew a reaction from Tamika Mallory, co-founder of Until Freedom, an organization meant to “address systematic and racial injustice,” according to its website, that is organizing some of the Kentucky Derby protests.
“This is what we’re dealing with,” Mallory said in a social media post.
Tagg had previously said in an NTRA media call that he was nervous about the potential for protests at the Derby.
“Very concerned,” Tagg said. “I couldn’t be anything else but very, very concerned. I don’t want my people hurt, I don’t want myself hurt, I don’t want the horse hurt. The world’s crazy right now, and hopefully we can pull it off without something disastrous happening.”
Jack Knowlton, managing partner of Sackatoga Stable, which owns Tiz the Law, declined to comment on Tagg’s remarks. Churchill Downs did not respond to a request for comment before publication.
“I don’t know what these guys are gonna do, these rioters,” Barclay Tagg said. “Who knows? All I know is you’re not allowed to shoot them and they’re allowed to shoot you, that’s what it looks like to me.”
Protests are planned in Louisville Saturday in reaction to the shooting death of Breonna Taylor by Louisville police.
The comment drew a reaction from Tamika Mallory, co-founder of Until Freedom, an organization meant to “address systematic and racial injustice,” according to its website, that is organizing some of the Kentucky Derby protests.
“This is what we’re dealing with,” Mallory said in a social media post.
Tagg had previously said in an NTRA media call that he was nervous about the potential for protests at the Derby.
“Very concerned,” Tagg said. “I couldn’t be anything else but very, very concerned. I don’t want my people hurt, I don’t want myself hurt, I don’t want the horse hurt. The world’s crazy right now, and hopefully we can pull it off without something disastrous happening.”
Jack Knowlton, managing partner of Sackatoga Stable, which owns Tiz the Law, declined to comment on Tagg’s remarks. Churchill Downs did not respond to a request for comment before publication.
