KENTUCKY DERBY Santos' corner maintains his innocence

The inquiry has put a damper on a celebration in New York.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Jose Santos hoped a meeting with Churchill Downs stewards today would end any suspicion that he held something besides a whip when he crossed the finish line and won the Kentucky Derby aboard Funny Cide.
Santos, with his lawyer and agent, were scheduled to appear at the stewards' office near the race track to discuss a photograph that launched the investigation.
"We've watched the tape 25 times and he is in every frame from the top of the stretch and there's nothing suspicious at all," said Mike Sellitto, Santos' agent and a former New York policeman. "It's all there for everyone to see."
The inquiry will focus "most particularly on the actions" of Santos at the race, said chief steward Bernie Hettel, who will be joined by stewards Rick Leigh and Jack Middleton.
"I respect the process, and we're delighted to talk to the stewards," said Karen Murphy, Santos' lawyer. "Jose is taking it in stride."
Murphy tried without success Sunday to bring the issue to a resolution so Santos could stay in New York and be part of daylong festivities to honor Funny Cide, the first New York bred to win the Derby.
"But they told us, 'We'll see you at the meeting,' " Murphy said.
Funny Cide, a 12-1 shot, beat favorite Empire Maker by 1 3/4 lengths to become the first gelding to win the Derby since 1929.
Published photo
Stewards decided to investigate after The Miami Herald published the photo, along with a story. A reporter from the Herald brought the image to the attention of the stewards Thursday night.
The Getty Images photo, which ran in several newspapers the morning after the race, depicts a dark area in the space between Santos' right hand and his whip. It is unclear whether the area is a shadow, the green background of another jockey's silks or something else.
Leigh told the Herald the photo looks "very suspicious." AP photos did not show anything else in Santos' right hand.
Race replays show that Santos switched the whip from his right hand to his left and back to his right during the final 3/16ths of a mile. Funny Cide's trainer Barclay Tagg said Saturday it would take a special jockey to pull off the feat while carrying something else.
"If you can move the reins and move the sticks [whip] and still get rid of something you have to be a pretty good juggler," the trainer said.
The stewards have ultimate authority over race results.
Funny Cide could be disqualified if it is determined Santos carried something illegal, such as a battery or hand-held electrical device to shock the horse into running faster.
Kentucky Racing Commission rules do not prohibit a jockey from holding an object besides his whip, other than those specifically prohibited.
A Derby winner has been disqualified only once -- Dancer's Image in 1968 after he was given banned medication. Forward Pass was declared the winner.
The inquiry might not have an impact on Funny Cide's preparation for Saturday's Preakness Stakes, but it seems to be taking a toll on Tagg. Usually friendly, he was curt Sunday morning outside his barn at Belmont Park, declining to speak to reporters.