Derby-Winning Trainer Woolley Summarily Suspended

Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1)-winning trainer Bennie "Chip" Woolley Jr. has been summarily suspended in Arizona pending a hearing before track stewards at Turf Paradise, according to a Feb. 8 ruling.

The Tuesday ruling, distributed to BloodHorse from the Arizona Horse Racing Commission, noted the hearing is to "answer charges of actions that call into question the best interest of racing, and the safety, welfare, economy, health, and peace of the people in the state as well."

Turf Paradise steward Jason Hart told Paulick Report that a hearing has been scheduled Feb. 15, but that he could not comment further, including why Woolley was summarily suspended.

Woolley, who trains in the Southwest, mainly running in New Mexico and Arizona, won the 2009 Kentucky Derby with 50-1 upsetter Mine That Bird  under jockey Calvin Borel. Woolley trained the Birdstone gelding for Mark Allen's Double Eagle Ranch and Dr. Leonard Blach's Buena Suerte Equine.

Later in the gelding's career, Mine That Bird raced for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Woolley experienced his most rewarding year by earnings since Mine That Bird's breakout 3-year-old season in 2009 when his horses won 28 races from 280 starts and made $617,950 in 2021. His stable is 3-for-30 in 2022 with earnings of $85,376 this year.

Woolley's most recent starter was Kelley Brooks' Caucus Rules , who finished third in the Feb. 4 ATBA Sales Stakes at Turf Paradise.