Kentucky
Kentucky Derby 2024: Stewards call Gaffalione to video review
Tyler Gaffalione
has been ordered to a video session with stewards Thursday to review his
homestretch ride on runner-up Sierra Leone and the contact he made with third-place
finisher Forever Young near the finish of Kentucky Derby 2024.
“Following
the race, the stewards ordered Tyler Gaffalione, jockey aboard Sierra Leone, to
film review on (Thursday),” a Kentucky Horse Racing Commission spokesperson
said in a written statement. “The stewards conduct film reviews routinely to
review the conduct of jockeys during a race. The stewards in their discretion
can take disciplinary action against a jockey following the review.”
“This is
routine practice,” Gaffalione’s agent Matt Muzikar said Monday afternoon. “They
do this all the time.”
Head-on video
of the finish showed Gaffalione to the outside on Sierra Leone reaching to his
left and maintaining contact for about two seconds with jockey Ryusei Sakai on
Forever Young. According to agent Matt Muzikar, Gaffalione lost his balance as
he tried to keep Sierra Leone from drifting inward as they approached the
finish line.
The two
horses finished a nose apart chasing Mystik Dan, who was racing along the rail
to the inside en route to winning by a nose over Sierra Leone. Mystik Dan,
ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., was not involved since he made no contact with either horse as his lead
was dwindling.
Stewards routinely
took nearly four minutes to examine the finish-line photo and post the order of
finish and then, not so routinely, another seven minutes to declare the race
official. There were no objections and no inquiry.
“The stewards
review every race in Kentucky live and by video replay before posting it
official, and they followed the same procedure for the 150th running of the
Kentucky Derby,” the KHRC spokesperson’s statement said. “After conducting
their standard review of the race, determining no further review or
investigation was necessary to conclude there were no incidents that altered
the finish of the race, and seeing there were no objections filed, the stewards
posted the Kentucky Derby official.”
Muzikar said Monday
a closer review of the video showed Sakai initiated contact with Gaffalione’s left
boot, knocking him off balance. Forever Young’s racing manager conceded the
two horses were in a physical battle the length of the homestretch.
“They were
fighting together all the way, not just at that moment,” Hiroshi Ando said
Sunday. “When they got to the top of the straight, they were fighting all the
way to the wire. This is racing.”
The KHRC
statement did not say whether Sakai also was summoned for a video review. The commission
spokesperson was asked about that but had not yet responded Monday afternoon. Even
though he was on his way back to Japan on Sunday, Sakai could have been asked for
his input directly or through a representative.
Kentucky
Kentucky Lottery Cash Ball, Pick 3 Evening winning numbers for June 25, 2026
13 things more likely to happen than winning the Powerball jackpot
Hoping to win the Powerball jackpot? Here are 13 things more likely to happen than becoming an instant millionaire.
The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Thursday, June 25, 2026 winning numbers for each game.
Cash Ball
02-08-24-32, Cash Ball: 09
Check Cash Ball payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Evening: 6-3-0
Midday: 9-6-0
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Evening: 5-7-6-0
Midday: 5-2-6-6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Millionaire for Life
03-13-14-34-45, Bonus: 01
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Courier Journal digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.
Kentucky
Takeaways from Kentucky’s home and away SEC schedule for next season
On Thursday, Kentucky’s home and away SEC opponents for the 2026-27 season were revealed and on top of learning the three opponents who they will play twice, there are some very intriguing matchups. In conference play, Kentucky will face six teams who are among the top 25 in many preseason rankings.
In SEC play, Kentucky will play Tennessee, Vandy and Ole Miss all both home and away. The home matchups include Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vandy. As for the road tilts, the Wildcats will face Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee and Vandy. Let’s take a look at some interesting developments from the schedule release.
John Calipari returns to Rupp Arena (again)
In Calipari’s first year with Arkansas, he got the best of Kentucky when he came into Rupp Arena and left with a 10-point victory, a game where you could really feel the tension all game long in the building from Kentucky fans, which translated onto the court with the players. Last season, it was Kentucky who shocked everyone when they stole one on the road against a top 20 Arkansas team after a rough up-and-down season up to that point. Now, the two will face off again as Kentucky will look to get the win in Rupp and make sure Calipari doesn’t get two in a row in the building. It’ll be another highly-anticipated showdown.
Kentucky hits the road at Texas
This is shaping up to be a major challenge for Kentucky next season and may even end up being one of the biggest games of the season. Texas is seen by many as a clear top 10 team, with some even having them within the top five and when you combine that with the fact that the game is on the road, the Wildcats will have their hands full. The Wildcats fell to the longhorns in the 2024-25 season, and it’ll be a much stiffer challenge this time.
Which game could be a trap?
We don’t have the game-by-game dates yet, so it’s hard to say with a lot of confidence, but opponent-wise, Georgia could really give Kentucky fits. In Pope’s first year, his team struggled handling the physicality of the Bulldogs and now, they’ve retained one of their best guards for another year and have added physicality through the portal. Mike White’s teams love to make opponents uncomfortable and they could do that once again down in Athens. Another sneaky team to watch is Oklahoma, who will have very good guard play. Kentucky will face both teams on the road.
Overall, it’s a pretty fair SEC schedule for a Kentucky team who has the capability of a return to being atop the conference once again. Mark Pope has such a system-fit squad and he can do some damage in the SEC.
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Kentucky
Can you set off fireworks in Kentucky? See laws ahead of Fourth of July
Fourth of July festivities to celebrate in Louisville
See the Fourth of July festivities planned in Louisville for America’s 250th birthday celebration.
Fourth of July is almost here, and Kentuckians are getting ready to light up the sky.
Before you plan your fireworks celebrations, it’s important to know what is and isn’t allowed under Kentucky law. Here’s what to know about fireworks laws and safety tips in the Bluegrass State ahead of Independence Day.
Can you set off fireworks in Kentucky?
Yes. As long as you live in a place where local ordinances don’t prohibit it, according to the Kentucky State Fire Marshal’s website.
Are fireworks legal in Louisville?
In Louisville or Jefferson County, larger display fireworks are not legal due to a local law. Some consumer products that don’t leave the ground, such as sparklers, are allowed.
If the cautionary label on the firework has the words “explosive,” “emits flaming pellets,” “flaming balls,” “firecracker,” “report” or “rocket,” it is automatically a no-go, according to the Louisville-Jefferson County Code of Ordinances.
But, smaller ones like sparklers, cylindrical or cone fountains, wheels and ground spinners are legal. Still, don’t let the size fool you − they can burn up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Learn more: Check out these 4th of July events taking place across Kentucky
How to use fireworks safely
The state fire marshal suggests following the following advice when using fireworks:
- Use fireworks outdoors.
- Obey local laws.
- Keep a bucket of water or a working water hose nearby.
- Use fireworks as intended and avoid altering them or combining them.
- Never relight “dud” fireworks. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
- Spectators should keep a safe distance from the person lighting the firework (the individual lighting it should wear safety glasses).
- Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated adult operator.”
- Do not use homemade fireworks or illegal explosives.
- Report illegal explosives to the fire or police department in your community.
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Read and follow all instructions on the label.
Former Courier Journal reporter Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez contributed. Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.
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