Court grants stay to allow Prat to ride weekend at Saratoga

ARCADIA, Calif. – Jockey Flavien Prat received a stay from Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, allowing him to ride at Saratoga from Friday through Sunday despite receiving a suspension for those days for a riding infraction at Santa Anita on May 27.

In a ruling issued Friday, Santa Anita stewards Grant Baker, Luis Jauregui, and Kim Sawyer cited Prat for causing interference shortly after the start of the Grade 2 Hollywood Gold Cup.

Prat rode Subsanador, who bumped Reincarnate in the opening quarter-mile of the 1 1/4-mile race. Reincarnate finished second to Mr Fisk, while Subsanador faded from second to finish fourth.

Prat appealed the suspension to the racing board, who rejected the request, leading to Monday’s court action by attorney Bing Bush. Prat can ride until a hearing is conducted.

Bush said over the weekend that he had been in touch with New York racing officials, making them aware that he was seeking court action to allow Prat to ride this weekend.

“This is simply a matter of due process,” Bush said. “Flavien is entitled to a hearing.”

Prat is booked on 10 mounts for Friday’s program and nine on Sunday. Saturday's card is to be finalized Monday, with the drawing of the Belmont Stakes and Metropolitan Mile. Among his expected mounts Saturday, Prat is booked to ride morning-line favorite and Kentucky Derby runner-up Sierra Leone in the Belmont. Trainer Chad Brown announced last week the switch to Prat from previous jockey Tyler Gaffalione. Prat will also be aboard leading contender National Treasure in the Met Mile.

Through Sunday, Prat, 31, ranked second in the nation in earnings with more than $11.1 million, trailing Irad Ortiz, Jr., with $11.3 million. Prat has won 82 races from 354 mounts, tied for 15th in that category nationally.

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