Arroyo blocked from riding pending conversation with stewards

DEL MAR, Calif. – Jockey Norberto Arroyo Jr. cannot be named to ride until he contacts the stewards to discuss his abrupt departure from Del Mar in the middle of Saturday’s program, steward Kim Sawyer said on Sunday.

Arroyo had one mount remaining on Saturday when he told his jockeys’ room valet that he had a family emergency and left the track, steward Grant Baker said last Saturday. Arroyo did not alert jockeys’ room officials or track stewards of his departure, Baker said.

Sawyer said Arroyo was informed he needed to meet with track stewards on Sunday morning, but the rider had “no contact at all,” with stewards, she said.

Arroyo, 41, began a three-day suspension on Sunday for causing interference in the Grade 3 Torrey Pines Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 27. Arroyo rode Zapperkat, who was disqualified from first to second for lugging out in the stretch. The suspension is scheduled to end on Thursday, the opening day of the Los Alamitos September meeting.

Arroyo was also fined $200 last week for failing to attend mandatory film review sessions on Aug. 30 and 31, according to a ruling issued by Del Mar stewards on Aug. 31.