When Belmont Park opens today for its abbreviated fall meeting, the jockey colony here will be somewhat abbreviated, too.
The Ortiz brothers, who finished one-two in the jockey standings at Saratoga, will be absent.
Irad starts a five-day suspension today, which runs through September 12, for an infraction at Belmont on July 5. Jose, riding at Kentucky Downs this weekend, begins a three-day suspension when he returns to Belmont next week. Jose was set down for interference at Saratoga on August 28.
Kendrick Carmouche will serve a three-day suspension for an infraction in the July-13 Sanford Stakes on Friday, Sunday, and next Wednesday. He has permission to ride in two stakes at Kentucky Downs on Saturday.
Ricardo Santana Jr. got three days off after being disqualified in Saratoga on August 21.
Luis Saez will be off for five days September 9-13 for a riding infraction dating back to November 30 at Aqueduct.
Is it punitive if jocks can choose when and where they serve their time?
8 Responses
Marko, I guess those delayed “days” were the result of appeals, and the process that followed. My question is, if justice is delayed in these cases, who is being denied? Can’t decide, truly.
And while no libertine when it comes to crime and punishment–no one is above the law–the consequences paid should be in context. Having said that, I don’t have a big problem with stakes-mount exemptions. In those cases, most commitments are made long in advance and I think it unfair to punish the owner and trainer for something over which they had no control or involvement.
Not sure if the days cited above were “requested” by jockeys or “assigned” by stewards.
To know that would require transparency, wouldn’t it?
Looked at Saez’ days just now. Two of those, SEP 9-10, are NY dark days–now that’s BS!
If the infraction occurred in NY, the “days” should be racing days, not normally dark days. I have a big problem with that.
Means he can’t ride in Delaware, or Parx? Puh-lease!
Suggestion: Saez could serve his penalty time over at Turnberry in Scottland. Maybe even play a round of golf or two. All good for the bottom line. He could even catch a flight over with our Air National Guard. All taxpayer funded. Sweet deal, just like with the oversight enforced at NYRA.
Can a “fiesty” horse be assigned days in the penalty box for his infractions? Check out this video. Pretty amazing.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/horse-racing-bite-jockey-france.amp
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/horse-racing-bite-jockey-france.amp
McD-
Savaging is reason for a DQ. Doesn’t matter if the horses savages the other horse or its jockey.
Sorry but I could not get the link to post… try a google search using fox news sports horse-racing-bite-jockey-france-stakes-race
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/horse-racing-bite-jockey-france.amp
I know it is an automatic DQ Mark. Just amazed at the footage. Not much a jockey can do in this situation at 40 MPH. I hope you can view the video. I recall a Derby picture over the bar at The Brown Derby in Malverne (dating myself) where a losing horse attempted to savage the winner. Manny Ycaza on a wild runner like that would have been unbeatable. Inquiry lights before the race even goes off. Lol.
P.S. Going with John’s call today on Spanish s Mission in the J.C. Turf. Will be playing Dire Straights when they leave the gate…”Like the Spanish City to me when we were kids.” Keeping Indy (Indulto) and the SU in play I’ll be adding Henley’s Joy to the mix. Out of Kitten’s Joy, he should the distance.
(Dire Straights: Tunnel of Love for The Catman)
Lyrics
Getting crazy on the waltzers but it’s the life that I choose
Yeah sing about the sixblade sing about the switchback and a torture tattoo
And I been riding on a ghost train where the cars they scream and slam
And I don’t know where I’ll be tonight but I’d always tell you where I am
In a screaming ring of faces I seen her standing in the light
She had a ticket for the races yeah just like me she was a victim of the night
I put my hand upon the lever said let it rock and let it roll
I had the one arm bandit fever there was an arrow through my heart and my soul
And the big wheel keep on turning neon burning up above
And I’m just high on the world
Come on and take a low ride with me girl
On the tunnel of love yeah-eah love
It’s just the danger when you’re riding at your own risk
She said you are the perfect stranger she said baby let’s keep it like this
It’s just a cake walk twisting baby yeah step right up and see
Hey mister give me two give me two now cos any two can play
And the big wheel keep on turning neon burning up above
And I’m just high on the world
Come on and take a low ride with me girl
On the tunnel of love whoa-oah love
Well it’s been money for muscle on a another whirligig
Money for muscle and a another girl I dig
Another hustle just to just to make it big
And Rockaway Rockaway
Oh Rockaway Rockaway
And girl it looks so pretty to me like it always did
Oh like The Spanish City to me when-a we were kids
Yeah girl it looks so pretty to me just like it always did
Oh like The Spanish City to me when-a we were kids
Check it out
She took off a silver locket she said remember me by this
She put her hand in my pocket I got a keepsake and a kiss
And in the roar of dust and diesel I stood and watched her walk away
I could have caught up with her easy enough but something must have made me stay
And the big wheel keep on turning neon burning up above
And I’m just high on this world
Come on and take a low ride with me girl
On the tunnel of love yeah-eah love love love
On the tunnel of love whoa-oah love love
And now I’m searching through these carousels and the carnival arcades
Searching everywhere from steeplechase to palisades
In any shooting gallery where promises are made
To Rockaway Rockaway
Rockaway Rockaway from Cullercoats and Whitley Bay out to Rockaway
And girl it looks so pretty to me like it always did
Like The Spanish City to me when we were kids
Girl it looks so pretty to me like it always did
Like The Spanish City to me when-a we were kids