Franco, Gutierriez suspended three days

Santa Anita-based jockeys Geovanni Franco and Mario Gutierrez have been suspended three racing days beginning on Saturday for causing interference in separate races on Jan. 26.

Gutierrez was cited for his ride on Be Punctual, who was last of five finishers in a maiden race on turf. Gutierrez was ruled to have crossed over without clearance going into the first turn.

Franco was penalized for his ride on King Apollo, who finished sixth of nine in a six-furlong race on turf. Franco was cited for failing to maintain a straight course in the stretch and causing interference.

The suspensions cover racing days on Saturday and Sunday this weekend and Feb. 9, but do not prevent the riders from participating in designated races, which are stakes.

Franco is booked to ride Moonlit Sonata in the Grade 3 Robert Lewis Stakes for 3-year-olds on Saturday, his only mount on the 10-race program. Gutierrez is not booked to ride on Saturday.

Through last Sunday, Franco was tied for eighth in the standings at the current Santa Anita winter-spring meeting with seven wins, while Gutierrez has two wins.

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