Trainer Tagg concerned about protests

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Barclay Tagg, the trainer of Kentucky Derby favorite Tiz the Law, has said in days leading up to Saturday’s race that he’s concerned about planned protests that are set to take place outside Churchill Downs.

He drove that point home Tuesday as he spoke with reporters inside the famed Louisville racetrack.

“I don’t know what these guys are going to do, these rioters,” Tagg said. “Who knows? All I know is you’re not allowed to shoot them, and they’re allowed to shoot you. That’s what it looks like to me, so I don’t know what to think about it.” Protests have been taking place daily in Louisville since late May over the death of Breonna Taylor, a Black emergency room technician who was killed in a shooting at her apartment by Louisville Metro Police officers executing a no- knock warrant.

Several local and national groups have said they plan to rally at 4: 30 p. m. Saturday at South Central Park, just blocks from Churchill Downs, ahead of the race.

Tagg had previously said he planned to keep an eye on the ongoing Louisville protests, describing himself as “very, very concerned” on a media call last week.

“I don’t want my people hurt, I don’t want myself hurt, I don’t want the horse hurt,” Tagg said last Friday, according to Horse Racing Nation. “The world’s crazy right now and hopefully we can pull it off without something disastrous happening.”

Saturday’s protest at South Central Park will include protesters associated with Until Freedom, a national social justice group that has moved to Louisville in recent months to support the ongoing demonstrations, as well as supporters from local groups like the Justice and Freedom Coalition.

Tagg