Graham, Nakatani suspended for whip rule violations

ARCADIA, Calif. – Jockeys James Graham and Corey Nakatani have been suspended for repeated violations of a new whip rule, according to rulings released by the Santa Anita board of stewards.

Graham was suspended for Sunday’s card after his fourth offense, which occurred aboard Texas Ryano, the winner of the $76,000 King Pellinore Stakes on turf Sept. 27.

Since July 1, riders in California are not permitted to use the whip more than three times in succession without giving the horse a chance to respond. The stewards have stated that a jockey must wait at least two strides after using the whip to give the horse a chance to respond. The first three violations for an individual jockey result in fines.

Nakatani was suspended for two days – Sunday and next Thursday – for a fifth violation of the rule when he rode Justonemorething to a victory in the third race Sept. 27.