Arkansas Racing Commission reduces Cohen suspension from 60 days to five days

A 60-day suspension handed to jockey David Cohen last spring at Oaklawn Park for allegedly striking another rider with his crop during the running of a race has been reduced to five days by the Arkansas Racing Commission, an agency official said Saturday.

Cohen had appealed the original suspension to the commission, which made its decision on a 3-1 vote following a two-hour hearing Saturday. Cohen will have 30 days from the time the order is drafted to appeal to the court system if he chooses. The order will be drafted Monday, said Byron Freeland, attorney for the commission.

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Freeland said the commission watched films of the race Saturday and found it difficult to determine whether Cohen intentionally struck fellow rider Edgar Morales in the race.

The commission’s rules prohibit the striking of another rider during the running of a race, whether intentionally or carelessly, said Freeland.

Cohen was the leading rider last year at Oaklawn and is battling atop the current standings with Ricardo Santana, Jr.