The Cinniapolis City Council has agreed to form a committee to investigate the finish from the 2022 Cinniapolis Derby. This year’s finish was hotly contested both on the track and off the track. The photo finish image was never released or leaked to the public, causing massive outcry from losing bettors and the general public. Conspiracies have consumed horse-racing enthusiasts all over town.

“It was a fixed race. I have the evidence to prove it. Soon, the public will hear my testimony and the rightful winner will be appropriately vindicated,” said Karen Jefferson, wife of Ed Jefferson who trained second-place finisher Snoozy Bubbles. “Our horse won and there is undeniable proof,” said Ms. Jefferson.

The winning horse’s trainer, Gus Walvon, said, “We’ll stand by the results of the investigation, the same way we stood by the results of the race, which we won. It was close but Fleck Specs crossed that finish line first, in spite of what loud, sore losers are saying.”

Typically, the City Council avoids getting involved in recreational affairs but this one is different, according to City Manager Justine Wellington. “There is a large amount of public money involved. When this type of potential fraud and cheating is part of the public conversation, it falls to our public servants to sort out the facts and report our findings to the public,” she said.

The track’s owner and Mayor’s brother, Buck Gondola, welcomed the investigation. “Any and all investigations are welcome. I trust our judges, I stand by our judges. I haven’t even seen the photo myself but I don’t question their expertise and experience. You know the saying about squeaky wheels and oil? Let them have their moment with this and when the truth comes out they can go back to unfairly criticizing my brother,” said Mr. Gondola.

The committee is expected to be formed in the upcoming weeks. After it’s formed, they will hear testimony from direct parties involved, review all evidence submitted, and come to a conclusion regarding the outcome of the race. One can’t help but wonder if all this hoopla could be avoided by releasing the photo of the finish. Mr. Gondola said that’s not an option, “We are not going to insult the judges training. The crybaby public needs to learn how to trust appointed and elected officials again.” Unfortunately, the public shouldn’t expect to see the photo any time soon.