Lezcano, Velazquez, Irad Ortiz to serve suspensions

Jockeys Jose Lezcano and John Velazquez will be sidelined Wednesday through Friday this week due to suspensions issued by the New York stewards for riding violations incurred earlier in Saratoga meet.

Meanwhile, Irad Ortiz Jr. is serving a one-day suspension Wednesday, for a riding crop violation aboard Tommy Two Socks, who won a $40,000 claiming race at Saratoga on Aug. 18. Per rules instituted by the Horseracing Safety and Integrity Authority, jockeys are only permitted to strike a horse with the crop six times. Anything over that number results in a fine, in this case $500, and a suspension.

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Ortiz entered the final week of the meet as the leading rider at Saratoga with 42 wins, five more than Flavien Prat.

Lezcano was cited for allowing his horse, Albedo, to drift out in the stretch of the eighth race on Aug. 18 and making contact with horses outside of him forcing those horses to alter course. Albedo finished third in the race and following a stewards’ inquiry there was no change to the order of finish.

Velazquez was suspended for his ride on Vino Rouge, who finished first in the 10th race on Aug. 16 but was disqualified and placed fourth. Vino Rouge interfered with Wrigleyville, who had finished third in that race.

In a state rule instituted last year, jockeys are required to serve their suspensions at the meet or track at which the violations occur.

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