Espinoza decides not to appeal suspension

ARCADIA, Calif. – Jockey Victor Espinoza was suspended for seven days by Santa Anita stewards on Sunday for causing interference aboard Sky Kingdom in Saturday’s Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes.

On Monday, Espinoza’s agent, Brian Beach, said the jockey will not appeal.

“Victor wants to put the spotlight on the horses,” Beach said.

Espinoza was sanctioned for allowing Sky Kingdom to drift wide on the first turn, carrying 1-5 favorite Shared Belief four wide. The incident was the subject of widespread discussion after the race, which was won by Shared Belief.

Stewards Scott Chaney, Kim Sawyer, and Tom Ward issued a suspension Sunday, citing Espinoza for violations of two rules – jockeys riding “carelessly, or willfully, so as to permit their mount to interfere with or impede any other horse,” and a rule pertaining to unsatisfactory rides.

The suspension begins Saturday and continues for seven racing days through Oct. 13. The ruling does not allow Espinoza to ride in designated races, or graded stakes, which are typically exempt from most suspensions. The terms of the ruling would prohibit Espinoza from riding in three graded stakes next Saturday – the $300,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship, $200,000 City of Hope Mile, and $100,000 L.A. Woman Stakes.

Beach said Espinoza will continue to work horses during that period, including Breeders’ Cup Classic hopeful California Chrome.

Sky Kingdom, at 36-1, was the longest shot in the field of seven in the Awesome Again and faded in the stretch, finishing 22 lengths behind Shared Belief, who raced wide throughout to extend his unbeaten streak to seven races.