Jockey Chapa suspended by Sam Houston

Jockey Roman Chapa has been suspended by the Sam Houston Race Park board of stewards pending an investigation into his ride in Saturday night’s ninth race, the $50,000 Richard King Handicap, which he won aboard Quiet Acceleration.

Chapa will be off his mounts Monday, according to stewards at Sam Houston.

Chapa’s ride is being investigated after a photo of the finish of the race was brought to the attention of the stewards, a photo that may show something foreign in Chapa’s hand while riding Quiet Acceleration. A concern would be whether the object is an electrical device.

“At this stage, it’s just an investigation,” said David Rollinson, a steward at Sam Houston.

Rollinson said Chapa was interviewed Monday morning at Sam Houston as part of the investigation.

Chapa is the leading rider at Sam Houston, which opened Friday. There is racing at the track Monday and Tuesday.

Toby Cathey, the agent for Chapa, was reached by phone Monday morning but said he was unable to talk at the present time because the draw was ongoing. Sam Houston on Monday was taking entries for the $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic and Grade 3, $200,000 Connally Turf Cup that run Jan. 24.