Trainer Eric Guillot officially apologized to fellow conditioner D. Wayne Lukas for triggering an investigation into his allegations jockey Luis Saez used an electrical device on Will Take Charge in the Travers Stakes (gr. I), but said he would do it all again based on the evidence he initially saw.
The allegations were dismissed after a comprehensive probe by the New York Gaming Commission. The Lukas-trained Will Take Charge surged late to just nail the Guillot-trained Moreno in the Travers at Saratoga Race Course; the colts returned to finish one-two again in the grade II Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing a month later.
Guillot and Lukas were among the trainers that attended a late-afternoon press conference after the second Breeders' Cup post-position draw at Santa Anita Park. They sat on opposite ends of the table, with trainers Richard Mandella and Kathy Ritvo between them; trainer Bob Baffert arrived a bit late and sat next to Lukas.
"Mr. Lukas, I'd like to formally apologize on national TV," Guillot said. "My emotions got the best of me. I looked it over; it was a bad video. But I'd do it all over again. I thought that's what the complaint department was for."
"I accept (the apology)," Lukas said. "We just need to turn the page."
Guillot indicated that his complaint was based on the initial video he saw of the stretch run. He credited the NYGC with a thorough investigation, which took into account many other video angles.
Guillot said he reached out to Saez' agent to apologize, but was rebuffed.
