Dancer's Image: The Forgotten Story of the 1968 Kentucky Derby

by Milton C. Toby

Overview

The true story behind the only disualification in Derby history

On May 4, 1968, Dancer's Image Crossed the finish line at Churchill Downs to win the ninety-fourth Kentucky Derby. Yet the jubilation ended three days later for the owner the jockey and the trainers who propelled the celebrated thoroughbred to victory. Amid a firestorm of controversy, Dancer's Image was disqualified after blood tests revealed the presence of a widely used anti-inflammatory drug with a dubious legal status. Over forty years later, questions still linger over the origins of the substance and the turmoil it created. Veteran turfwriter and noted equine law expert Milt Toby gives the first in-depth look at the only disqualification in Derby history and how the Run for the Roses was changed forever.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781609490959
Publisher:	History Press, The
Publication date:	04/06/2011
Pages:	126
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Milt Toby is an author and attorney who has been writing about Thoroughbred racing for almost forty years. His five previous books include a biography of the ill-fated filly, Ruffian, and his short fiction has garnered national recognition. Milt is a director of American Horse Publications and chair of the Kentucky Bar Association's Equine Law Section. He lives in central Kentucky with his wife, Roberta, and a menagerie of assorted dogs and cats. Visit his website at www.miltonctoby.com.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 5

Introduction 7

1 The Commoner and the King 11

2 Thoroughbreds and Blondes 20

3 No Good Deed Goes Unpunished 27

4 The Derby Doc 33

5 The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports 40

6 Welcome to Oz 55

7 An Unbelievable Witness 67

8 The Holy Grail 84

9 The Usual Suspects 92

Epilogue 101

Appendix A Stewards' Preliminary Statement (May 7, 1968) 110

Appendix B Stewards' Ruling (May 15, 1968) 111

Appendix C Kentucky State Racing Commission (January 6, 1969) 113

Notes 119

Sources 125

About the Author 127