Big Returns wins Graduation Stakes after disqualification

DEL MAR, Calif. – Big Returns was declared the winner of the $100,351 Graduation Stakes on Friday at Del Mar following the disqualification of original winner Square Deal, who was ruled to have cost Pas de Panique second place in the closing yards of the 5 1/2-furlong race for California-bred 2-year-olds.

The decision by Del Mar’s stewards – Grant Baker, John Herbuveaux, and Kim Sawyer – was unanimous and followed an eight-minute deliberation that marked the second time a winner was disqualified on Friday’s card for interference, following Deckology in race 5.

It also sets up the potential for additional days of suspension for jockey Norberto Arroyo Jr., who already has been suspended for 11 days for riding infractions this meet. He has yet to serve any days, owing to stays pending appeals of the earlier rulings.

Arroyo was aboard Square Deal, a 13-1 shot who rallied four paths wide on the far turn and crossed the wire 1 3/4 lengths in front of Big Returns while covering 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:06.34. In doing so, he drifted in and forced Abel Cedillo, aboard Pas de Panique, to check, and Big Returns got past Pas de Panique to finish second by 1 1/2 lengths.

“It cost me a spot, for sure,” Cedillo said.

The stewards ruled the incident cost Pas de Panique the opportunity to finish second, and thus warranted the disqualification of Square Deal.

Arroyo was seething after the ruling. He had spoken to the stewards twice during the inquiry, then picked up the ring-down phone adjacent to the winner’s circle following the decision and was unsuccessful in reaching them, causing him to slam down the phone.

Simon Callaghan, the trainer of Square Deal, saw the scene. He put his hands on Arroyo’s shoulders and said, calmly, “You’ve just got to forget about it.”

Arroyo then marched back to the jockeys’ room while rushing past reporters, making no comment about the decision.

Big Returns ($4.40), the favorite, flopped into the win. He is now 2 for 2, having romped on debut against California-bred maidens here July 20. Ruben Fuentes has ridden him in both starts.

Luis Mendez trains Big Return, a colt by Mr. Big, for William Peeples.

“My horse lost momentum,” said Mendez, who understandably was happy to get put up and earn his first stakes win at Del Mar. “He had space to go through, but had to pull up. I’m happy with what they did.”