New York state legislature stops to honor Derby-winning horse

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide was honored by the New York state legislature Monday, the same day that the horse's jockey was cleared of any wrongdoing in the race.
"There was never any doubt in our minds about the resolution," said Mark Phillips, one of a group of six high-school friends from Sackets Harbor who own the thoroughbred. "It's now time to get on to what really counts, running in the Preakness and then hopefully on to Belmont."
Track officials determined Jose Santos had nothing in his hand besides his whip when he rode Funny Cide to victory May 3. Funny Cide was the first New York-bred horse to win racing's premier event.
"Funny Cide in 2:01.19 did what we in this Legislature have been trying to do for decades," state Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno said. "It put us on the map."
There were about 30 people on hand at the state Capitol, including the owners, their families and Santos' wife, Rita. They cheered and applauded when Churchill Downs spokesman John Asher announced the stewards' decision on TV.
The jockey's wife, Rita, said she knew her husband would be exonerated. Jose Santos missed the ceremony because he was in Louisville, Ky., awaiting the decision of the Churchill Downs stewards.
"I worried more for my children," she said, surrounded by her son and three daughters, ages 5 to 10. "They're young and they don't understand. I told my son 'Daddy's OK,' and a tear came to his eye."