Chavez suspended five days for careless riding

Jockey Alexander Chavez, currently ranked fourth in the standings at the Golden Gate Fields winter-spring meeting, begins a five-day suspension on Friday for careless riding on May 26, according to a ruling published by track stewards.

Chavez was cited for failing to maintain a straight course on Sea Dog, who won an allowance race at a mile. The stewards conductive an inquiry into an incident in the stretch when Sea Dog drifted out and impeded Duplication in the stretch, but ruled that the incident did not affect a placing for Duplication, who finished fourth.

The suspension covers racing on Saturday and Sunday and June 9-11, the final three days of the track’s winter-spring meeting. Chavez has three mounts on Friday’s card, including top contender Ascendancy in an allowance race.

Through Monday, Chavez had 59 wins, well behind leader Assael Espinoza with 84. Evin Roman was second with 67 wins, slightly in front of Armando Ayuso with 64. The suspension will prevent Chavez from moving higher in the standings and jeopardizes his position in the top four. Through Monday, Santos Rivera was fifth with 58 wins.

When the upcoming suspension concludes, Chavez will have served 18 racing days since late January for four riding infractions.

Without the penalties, “he’d be right there” in the standings, his agent, Brent Harmon said on Thursday. “You lose a lot of momentum when you get those days.”

Chavez, 24, previously rode in Ohio and relocated to California in late December. Harmon said Chavez will ride the Alameda County Fair meeting in Pleasanton when the track opens its four-week season on June 16.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.