Belmont: Maragh suspended for careless ride in Vosburgh

Emily Shields

Rajiv Maragh plans to appeal a seven-day suspension handed down by the Belmont Park stewards for careless riding in Saturday's Vosburgh.

ELMONT, N.Y. - The Belmont Park stewards suspended jockey Rajiv Maragh seven days for careless riding aboard Calibrachoa coming out of the gate in Saturday’s Grade 1, $350,000 Vosburgh Invitational.

 Maragh has appealed the suspension and will be permitted to ride until a hearing is held.

 A few strides out of the gate in the Vosburgh, Maragh allowed Calibrachoa, breaking from post 4, to come over on Euroears, who in turn bumped with Apriority, who stumbled under Alex Solis. Euroears, the expected front-runner, never got involved and finished last. Apriority finished seventh.

 Calibrachoa finished fifth in the race, but no inquiry or objection was lodged.

 The stewards would not comment beyond saying that Maragh’s actions were “careless.’’ Maragh would not comment beyond confirming that he appealed the suspension.

 This was the second time that the stewards suspended Maragh for a gate infraction in a major race. In the Belmont Stakes, Maragh was suspended for allowing Isn’t He Perfect to come over on Mucho Macho Man, who in turn squeezed Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom. Animal Kingdom came out of the Belmont with a leg fracture and has been sidelined the remainder of the year.

 Maragh had been taken off Mucho Macho Man for the Belmont after having ridden him in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

 Maragh served that suspension.