Fresu appealing five-day suspension

Jockey Antonio Fresu plans to seek court action this week allowing him to appeal a five-day suspension for causing interference in the 11th race at Del Mar on July 20, according to the rider’s attorney, Bing Bush.

Fresu was cited by stewards Grant Baker, Luis Jauregui, and Kim Sawyer for failing to maintain a straight course aboard The Old Nine in a maiden race at a mile on turf. The Old Nine was judged to have caused a chain reaction of interference that caused the fall of Fausto in the stretch.

Fausto and jockey Edwin Maldonado were not injured in the incident.

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Bush said he planned to file paperwork in court as early as Wednesday afternoon to allow Fresu to ride without disruption until an appeal is heard. The suspension is scheduled to begin on Sunday and continues from Aug. 1-4.

Fresu had one win from 19 mounts last Saturday and Sunday, the first two days of the Del Mar summer meeting. Last summer, Fresu, 32, finished second in the standings with 35 wins, one less than leader Juan Hernandez.

This weekend, Fresu has leading mounts in two major races – Straight No Chaser in Saturday’s Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs, and Easter in the Grade 2 Eddie Read Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on Sunday.

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