Hernandez gets three-day suspension

Juan Hernandez, the leading rider at the current Santa Anita autumn meeting, has been given a three-day suspension from Oct. 20-22 by Santa Anita stewards for careless riding in the Grade 3 Zuma Beach Stakes last Sunday.

Hernandez was cited for altering course without sufficient clearance in the stretch of the one-mile turf race for 2-year-olds. Endlessly won by 2 1/4 lengths, but Formidable Man, who finished sixth, was forced to alter course when Endlessly moved out in the stretch.

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Through Monday, Hernandez had won 11 races at the autumn meeting. He has a one win lead over Antonio Fresu, who is riding while appealing 32 days of suspensions for whip violations issued at Del Mar in late summer.

Jockeys Abel Cedillo and Edwin Maldonado have been suspended three days each for recent riding infractions. The suspensions cover racing this Saturday and Sunday and Oct. 20.

Maldonado was faulted for his ride on Where’s My Ring in the second race on Oct. 1. Maldonado was judged by stewards Grant Baker, Luis Jauregui, and Kim Sawyer for failing to maintain a straight course and causing interference.

A race later on the same program, Cedillo was cited for his ride on Sea of Cortez, who was disqualified from third and placed fourth for causing interference in the third race on Oct. 1.

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