Figueroa suspended, Prat fined for whip-rule violations

Jockey Heriberto Figueroa has been suspended three days and top jockey Flavien Prat was fined $300 for violations of new whip rules put in place earlier this month in California that limit jockeys to six under-handed strikes during a race.

Figueroa was cited for his ride on Savvy Gal, the winner of the seventh race on Oct. 18. Figueroa was penalized for using the whip more than six times and not in an under-handed position on Savvy Gal, who won a $32,000 claimer at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at 12-1.

This was Figueroa’s third whip violation in the last 60 days, according to a ruling published Friday by Santa Anita stewards Ron Church, Luis Jauregui, and Kim Sawyer.

The suspension covers the opening days of the Del Mar autumn meeting on Saturday and Sunday and Nov. 6.

Prat was fined $300 for not using his whip in an under-handed position aboard Farmington Road when fifth in the Grade 2 Twilight Derby on Oct. 18.

Former jockey Corey Black has been suspended 60 days because of a cocaine positive, according to a ruling issued Sunday by Santa Anita stewards.
Black, 51, holds an exercise rider’s license. The suspension began on Sunday and continues through Dec. 23.

Black won more than 1,500 races in a career that spanned from 1985-2000. He won such races as the 1993 Hollywood Gold Cup on Best Pal and the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Flying Continental at Belmont Park in 1990.

Black was suspended in early 2019 for failing to appear at a hearing before Santa Anita stewards related to use of drugs. He was reinstated a few months later, according to Santa Anita stewards.

Under the terms of the ruling published on Sunday, Black must undergo evaluation by the Winners’ Foundation, which aids people in California horse racing with substance-abuse issues. Black must comply with recommendations set forth by the Winners’ Foundation and agree to a testing program with the California Horse Racing Board.