Faul suspended six years

The board of stewards at Great Lakes Downs in Muskegon, Mich., on Friday suspended jockey Jeff Faul for six years and fined him $7,500 after determining he had carried an illegal electrical device when he won the sixth race on Aug. 24 aboard Run for You.

According to a news release from the Michigan racing commissioner's office, an electrical device was found on the track on the morning of Aug. 25, and the Great Lakes board of stewards has indicated there is "credible evidence showing the device being discarded by Faul."

The stewards suspended Faul on Aug. 26 and scheduled a hearing for Sept. 2. According to the ruling, the hearing was postponed because Faul appeared but was "intoxicated." Faul appeared for a rescheduled hearing Sept. 9 but, according to the ruling, "refused to be sworn in and answer any questions relative to the investigation."

Faul, 38, of Sunset, La., is seventh in the Great Lakes jockey standings with 47 wins.

Faul's attorney, John Karafa, could not be reached for comment on Friday. Faul has 10 days to appeal the stewards' ruling to R. Robert Geake, Michigan's racing commissioner.