Golden Gate leading rider Chavez suspended eight days

Alexander Chavez, the runaway leading rider at the current Golden Gate Fields autumn meeting, has been suspended eight racing days beginning on Friday for two recent riding infractions for careless riding.

Chavez was suspended three days – Friday through Sunday – for his ride on Speed Grazy on Nov. 26. Speed Grazy was demoted from first to third for causing interference in the stretch.

Last Saturday, Chavez was cited for failing to maintain a straight course on Classy City in the Gold Rush Stakes for 2-year-olds. In a ruling published on Sunday by Golden Gate stewards, Chavez was suspended five racing Dec. 26 and 29-31 and Jan. 1.

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The current Golden Gate Fields meeting ends on Sunday. The winter-spring meeting begins on Dec. 26.

Through last Sunday, Chavez had won 45 races at the meeting since it began on Oct. 21. Evin Roman was second with 24 wins.

Chavez has returned to his native Panama for Christmas, according to his agent, Brent Harmon, and will resume riding at Golden Gate Fields on Jan. 5.

Chavez, 25, moved from Ohio to Northern California last December. Since moving to California, Chavez has been suspended for riding infractions seven times covering 29 racing days.

Chavez was leading rider at county fair meetings in Pleasanton and Santa Rosa during the summer. The current Golden Gate Fields meeting will be Chavez’s first title at the premier track in Northern California.

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