Americano suspended for three days due to whip violation

Apprentice jockey Manny Americano has been suspended three days, from Feb. 21-23, for an infraction for excessive use of the whip in the third race at Santa Anita last Friday.

Americano, 24, was cited for excessive use of the whip for the third time in less than three months, having been penalized for similar infractions at Turf Paradise in Phoenix on Nov. 21 and at Pleasanton in Northern California on Nov. 23.

In Friday’s third race, Americano struck eventual fourth-place finisher Winds of Freedom seven times, once more than the permitted limit, according to the ruling.

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In addition to the suspension, Americano was fined $750.

Americano, 24, began riding at Santa Anita earlier this month on weekends. He had one win at Turf Paradise in Phoenix on Monday and two on Thursday. Americano is booked to ride nine races at Turf Paradise on Wednesday and five on Thursday.

At Santa Anita, he is booked on seven mounts from Friday through Sunday before returning to Turf Paradise where he has 13 mounts combined on Monday and Tuesday.

Americano began riding in 2023. He has won 91 races in his brief career through Tuesday.

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