Dominguez suspended two days for Gio Ponti ride

Ramon Dominguez has been handed a two-day suspension by stewards at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai for his ride on Gio Ponti in the $10 million Dubai World Cup. Dominguez will serve his days April 6-7, according to his agent, Steve Rushing.

Meydan stewards blamed Dominguez for a chain reaction on the first turn of the World Cup that resulted in Fly Down being checked sharply by Julien Leparoux to avoid an accident. The stewards report stated that Dominguez and Gio Ponti "shifted inwards, which carried Prince Bishop in onto Fly Down, which resulted in Fly Down having to be restrained and lose its racing position. On enquiry, jockey R. Dominguez was found guilty of a charge of careless riding."

Gio Ponti finished fifth in the race, while Fly Down checked in 13th.

The stewards’ report also referred to another ongoing inquiry concerning a crowding incident at the 800-meter (half-mile) pole involving, Fly Down, Richard’s Kid, Musir, and Poet’s Voice. The report said the second inquiry had been put on hold until Poet’s Voice’s rider, Frankie Dettori, could be contacted. Dettori was scheduled to travel to England last weekend.