Race Winner Hid in Fog, Jockeys Tell Commission

A jockey and his mount hid in thick fog at swampy Delta Downs, then got into the race on the final turn and won it, two other jockeys have told the Louisiana Racing Commission.

Joe Calais and Gerard Melancon testified at a commission hearing Wednesday that Sylvester Carmouche, riding 23-1 long shot Landing Officer, apparently slipped out of the Jan. 11 race at the starting gate and sneaked back in after the field had almost completed the mile-long course at the Vinton, La., track.

Running in mud, Landing Officer came within 1 1/2 seconds of Delta Downs’ record for a mile, but veterinarian James Broussard said the horse wasn’t muddy or even breathing hard.

“The horse was clean. The leggings were clean and the respiration was nearly normal,” said Broussard.

The case took up most of the daylong hearing, and commissioners recessed with 20 witnesses still to be heard, including 14 defense witnesses.

The next meeting is March 20 in New Orleans.

If found guilty, Carmouche could be suspended from racing, but any action commissioners take could be appealed to state courts.

Carmouche has denied the allegations, telling track stewards his horse broke the gates wide and was alone on the outside.

A videotaped replay of the race was little help to commissioners because horses and riders were nearly invisible in the fog.

But several members of the 10-member commission said that on the first turn, they could count only eight horses in a nine-horse field.

Calais said he complained about Carmouche’s suspicious finish to track stewards as soon as the race ended.

“I told them he ain’t made the course,” said Calais.

Calais said he had ridden Landing Officer twice and knew the horse had a reputation for finishing near the back of the pack.

Melancon said he was running near the head of the pack on Hit The Hammer and was never passed by Landing Officer.

“It was the middle of the last turn when I saw him first,” said Melancon. “He wasn’t in full run when I spotted him.”