Death at Kentucky Derby track being investigated as a homicide, police say

(CBS/AP) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Police suspect homicide in the death of a racetrack worker whose body was discovered just yards from the barn of this year's Kentucky Derby winner. However, investigators said there was no apparent link to the storied annual race.

Authorities planned to conduct an autopsy Monday for 48-year-old Adan Fabian Perez, a Guatemala native, according to Jo-Ann Farmer, chief deputy coroner for Jefferson County. His body was found early Sunday in a barn just four barns away - about 150 yards - from where this year's Derby winner I'll Have Another is kept.

"There's a suspicion of foul play," Farmer said Sunday evening.

Louisville Metro Police said the death is being investigated as a homicide but there appears to be no connection to the race.

"At this point we don't have anything pointing to the fact that this had any association with Churchill Downs or the Derby itself," said Alicia Smiley, spokeswoman for Louisville Metro Police. "We are still investigating at the stables and at the barn."

Smiley said that the victim "did sustain injuries that lead us to believe he was involved in some type of altercation."

Farmer said the victim lived at the track's quarters for workers.

Churchill Downs security called police at 4:50 a.m. EDT, Smiley said. The body was found in a barn used by Louisville trainer Angel Montano Sr.

Montano did not have a horse running Saturday either in the undercard or the Derby, which saw a record attendance of more than 165,000.