Hot Rod Charlie's farrier speaks to Kentucky stewards
Channel: HorseRacingNation
Date: 2022-10-22

Farrier Dean Balut, employed by trainer Doug O'Neill, was interviewed by Kentucky Horse Racing Commission stewards on Oct. 7, 2022, about the Oct. 1 running of the Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs. Balut said he shod the winner Hot Rod Charlie more than a month before the race and, on that day, he ground off the toe grabs that would have been illegal. Photographic evidence appeared to show the colt wore toe grabs, but stewards sided with Balut and ruled that the shoes were legal. The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority agreed. Connections for runner-up Rich Strike said they would call for a hearing based on the photos and Balut's comments. This recording was sent to Horse Racing Nation in response to a Freedom of Information Act request for communications and reports related to the KHRC investigation of the claims brought to them by Rich Strike's trainer Eric Reed.

Photo credits to Eclipse Sportswire