Hernandez to serve suspension for whip violation

DEL MAR, Calif. – Juan Hernandez, the leading rider at the current Del Mar summer meeting, will serve a one-day suspension Saturday for excessive use of the whip aboard R Heisman in the $101,500 Graduation Stakes last Friday.

Hernandez was cited for using his whip seven times, once above the permitted level. He was fined $500 for the infraction.

Hernandez will be able to ride Saturday’s stakes, the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks. He is set to ride Zona Verde, who was second in the Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap on July 20. Stakes mounts are exempt from routine suspensions.

Iscreamuscream, winner of the San Clemente Handicap, leads the list of probable Del Mar Oaks starters, which includes Buchu, Circle of Trust, Medoro, Sakura Blossom, and Whiskey Decision.

Through Sunday, Hernandez led all riders with 23 wins, seven more than Umberto Rispoli with 16.

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