Horse trainer Eric Guillot loses his feud with TVG host Ken Rudulph

[John Kelly]

Horse trainer Eric Guillot committed a no-no this past Friday at Aqueduct.

Guillot has been banned at most racing jurisdictions after he re-named one of his horses -- from Kersetter to Grape Soda -- to taunt TVG host Ken Rudulph.

Rudulph, an African-American television personality, took offense to Guillot's actions.

The move by Guillot was seen as racially-insensitive, though Guillot claims he was simply teasing Rudulph and did not mean to harm him in any way.

Apparently, Guillot was set to retire soon after a 30-year career in horse racing, so the banishment is not as harsh as it may appear.

TVG stands in support of Ken Rudulph and thanked NYRA and other racing circuits for condemning Guillot's bad behavior.

Grape Soda won Friday's opener at the Big A by more than six lengths and paid $11.20 in his career debut.

Rudulph tweeted on Saturday, "I told you that horse racing has a TON of racists hiding in plain sight."

Since the controversy came to light, horse owner Lawrence Roman has changed the name of the horse from Grape Soda to Respect For All in a show of goodwill.

 

[John Kelly]

I never knew Grape Soda was a racial slur.

 

[railbird]

we are in a communist nation now

 

[Viejo Dinosaur]

I never knew Grape Soda was a racial slur.

He could have used orange soda if he wanted....trainer knew what he was doing....

 

[MadTiger]

I never knew Grape Soda was a racial slur.

It's more subtle and modern than an old-school example like Fried Chicken and Watermelon, but the same point is there.

 

[MadTiger]

I don't even like grape soda, but that trainer would ASSume I do. Artificial grape is one of my least favorite substances on planet Earth.

That's the point.

 

[Viejo Dinosaur]

Could have named the horse Colt 45 or Malt Liquor.....trainer knew exactly what he was doing....

 

[MadTiger]

Ken Rudolph should get a horse, and name it Alcoholic Sneaking Whiskey in a Coffee Cup.
Or Dumb Cajun

But then, that would be stooping to his level.

 

[Valuist]

He could have used orange soda if he wanted....trainer knew what he was doing....

Wasn't the old stereotype "grape OR orange soda"? BTW, I know as a kid I loved both, and I'm as pale as Jim Gaffigan.

 

[Bucky]

Grape soda and pour half a bag of planters peanuts into the bottle after you took a couple of schlucks so it did not fizz over.

 

[jasson621]

Along with being an idiotic racist Guillot is also known for turning 6 and 7 figure purchases into 5 figure claimers. The guy couldn't train Lassie to shit in the front yard.

 

[Heim]

Smug would have been a better name for the horse pertaining to Rudolph.

He's the Don Lemon of TVG.

 

[Heim]

Oh god Guillot included a black power emoji.....not even Railbird would be that insensitive.

 

[Neveragain]

I never knew Grape Soda was a racial slur.

This is why the racing office has the responsibility to approve or reject race horse names.
If the racing office staff were doing their job responsibly they would have rejected “grape soda”.
A simple google or urban dictionary search is an easy way to filter out these mistakes in judgment.
Race tracks need to smarten up.

 

[alfie]

This is why the racing office has the responsibility to approve or reject race horse names.
If the racing office staff were doing their job responsibly they would have rejected “grape soda”.
A simple google or urban dictionary search is an easy way to filter out these mistakes in judgment.
Race tracks need to smarten up.

would a black owner/trainer be able to use the name?

 

[MadTiger]

would a black owner/trainer be able to use the name?

Mmm.

Intent is a big part of determining what gets called "foul" on--in sports and in regular life.

 

[Valuist]

A recent favorite: You're A Nation, who raced on the south Florida circuit. That and Hoof Hearted.

 

[Wade]

it's an outrage that TVG would hire a black guy