Jockeys Prat, Quinonez suspended three days

DEL MAR, Calif. - Jockeys Flavien Prat, who leads the standings, and Alonso Quinonez have been suspended three days – from Friday through Sunday – for causing interference in separate races at Del Mar last Thursday.

The suspensions will not prohibit the jockeys from riding in graded stakes this weekend. If Prat or Quinonez rides more than one graded stakes on a program, they will have to serve an additional day of suspension, likely later this month. Prat is likely to have multiple mounts in graded stakes on Saturday’s program.

Quinonez was cited for altering course without clearance on He’s Like Violence, who finished second in a $32,000 claimer at a mile on turf. The stewards conducted an inquiry into He’s Like Violence’s position in the stretch, but did not change the order of finish. The stewards ruled He’s Like Violence did not affect the placings when he drifted out in the stretch and forced eventual fourth-place finisher Platinum Equity to be steadied.

Prat was cited for his ride on Unusual Gold, who finished sixth in a maiden race at a mile on turf. The stewards ruled that Prat failed to maintain a straight course in the stretch and caused interference. Two rivals who finished fourth and fifth – Midnight Crossing and Weather Market –were steadied in the stretch.

Through Saturday, Prat led all riders at the summer meeting with 20 wins. Quinonez had won four races.