Bejarano drops appeal of suspension

ARCADIA, Calif. – Rafael Bejarano, the runaway leader in the jockey standings at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting, has withdrawn an appeal of a three-day suspension, track stewards announced in a ruling on Thursday.

Bejarano, 32, was suspended three days March 22 for his ride aboard Jazzy Josh in the Pasadena Stakes on March 21. Bejarano was cited for failing to maintain a straight course in the stretch. The stewards did not conduct an inquiry, and no rider lodged an objection in that race. Jazzy Josh finished eighth.

The new suspension days are April 18 and 19 – the final two days of the winter-spring meeting – and April 24, the first day of the spring-summer meeting.

Through Thursday, Bejarano led all riders with 69 wins, 18 clear of second-place Tyler Baze.