Jockey Van Dyke dealt three-day suspension

Jockey Drayden Van Dyke has received a three-day suspension, next Thursday through Saturday, for causing interference in the first race at Santa Anita on Feb. 4.

Van Dyke was cited for his ride on Casino Red, who finished third in an optional claimer. Casino Red was ruled to have altered course without clearance on the turn of a one-mile turf race.

Ms Peintour, who finished fifth, was steadied on the turn. The stewards conducted an inquiry, but did not change the order of finish.

The suspension allows Van Dyke to ride in designated races, which means he can ride Saturday’s Grade 2 Buena Vista Mile. Through Thursday, Van Dyke was seventh in the standings at Santa Anita with 13 wins.

Track exec Gunderson dies

Robert Gunderson, a former executive at Bay Area racetracks, died recently, according to his daughter Gretchen Kramer.

Gunderson was 98. A World War II veteran who served in the Pacific, Gunderson graduated from Harvard with a master’s degree in business administration.

After military service, Gunderson spent more than 40 years involved in management at Bay Meadows in San Mateo, Calif., beginning his career as an operations manager at the track in the late 1940’s. He later worked as general manager at Golden Gate Fields before taking a similar position at Bay Meadows in 1969.

Gunderson was named president of Bay Meadows in 1973 and held that position until his retirement in 1989. In 1985, he was president of the Thoroughbred Racing Association.