LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Several jockeys have been ejected from Churchill Downs' fall meet after threatening not to ride in a protest over health insurance.

Rafael Bejarano, the nation's leader in wins, Robby Albarado, Calvin Borel, Mark Guidry and Willie Martinez were among the jockeys prohibited from racing or appearing at the track through the conclusion of the fall meet, which ends Nov. 27.

Track spokesman John Asher did not know the exact number of jockeys ejected.

Pat Day, the track's all-time leading rider, was among the jockeys who said they would continue to race, Asher said.

The banned jockeys are protesting what they say is insufficient health insurance coverage. Earlier Sunday, they refused to accept mounts for Wednesday's card.

Churchill Downs president Steve Sexton met with the jockeys after Sunday's card and discussed the option of additional coverage at the cost of between $100 and $220 a month, depending on the jockey's age. Sexton then asked each of the riders whether they would be willing to ride on Thursday. The ones who said no were ejected from the track, Asher said.

Asher said the health insurance issue is not unique to Churchill Downs but affects the whole industry. He said the track would be willing to participate in a long-term solution but disagreed with how the jockeys were voicing their concerns.

"This is not something Churchill Downs can fix by itself, it is not something that anyone can fix in a couple of days," Asher said. "We're open to doing everything we can. The health and safety of the riders is of paramount concern to us."

Earlier Sunday, jockey Shane Sellers was escorted out of Churchill Downs in handcuffs by a Louisville police officer. Sellers last month said he was leaving racing because of his concerns over health insurance.

Asher would not specify why Sellers was ejected from the track's jockeys' room on Sunday. Sellers was not charged.

"I will say that he was asked to leave several times by one of our security representatives," Asher said.

Asher said at least 10 jockeys have agreed to continue riding and the track was not anticipating any disruption of the meet schedule.