Louisiana suspends jockey Patin

Rider Joe Patin Jr.s jockeys license has been suspended indefinitely by the Louisiana State Racing Commission pending a meeting with Fair Grounds stewards to address several missed riding assignments on Patins part.

Patin, who hasnt ridden at Fair Grounds since Feb. 21, was arrested in Breaux Bridge, La., on Feb. 29, charged with several criminal violations, and booked into the St. Martin Parish prison on March 1, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Patins license was not suspended directly because of his arrest.

The rider was involved in two traffic accidents and left the scene of one of them. He was charged on 11 counts, including possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, the Times-Picayune said.

Patin, 39, whose 28 victories at Fair Grounds this season place him ninth among riders at the meet, has run afoul of the authorities in the past. He had his license revoked in 1999 for repeated violations of the racing commissions substance-abuse policy, and didnt ride again until April 2007.

A Louisiana native, Patin is one of five brothers to have ridden professionally. One of them, Billy Patin, was handed a five-year suspension for carrying an illegal electrical device he won the 1999 Arkansas Derby aboard Valhol.