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Churchill Downs overpaid Broncos WR Wes Welker $14k, says no repayment necessary

Broncos receiver Wes Welker had 73 catches for 10 TDs in his first season in Denver. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Wes Welker has 68 catches for 717 yards in his first season in Denver. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker was a big winner at the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago, and he was seen carrying big stacks of cash and handing out the benjamins to total strangers.

Now officials say that a large part of those winnings were handed out due to a computer error.

Churchill Downs spokesman Darren Rogers said Friday that “an individual believed to be a member of Wes Welker’s group” received overpayment of more than $14,000 on a winning wager because of a tote error, via the Courier-Journal. According to TMZ, Churchill Downs paid out a total of $57,193.90 to the person who collected the winnings.

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It was originally reported that the famed racetrack asked Welker's party to return the excess payment, but Churchill Downs has since clarified that no repayment was necessary since the mistake occurred on their end, according to ESPN's Darren Rovell. The track sent a letter to that individual “in an attempt to resolve the matter.”

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