Mike Smith gets three-day suspension
Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith will ride his final program of the current Del Mar meeting on Saturday, more than a week before the conclusion of the season on Sept. 7.
Smith was given a three-day suspension on Sunday for causing interference in the first race last Saturday. The suspension covers racing days on Sunday, Monday, and Sept. 4.
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Smith is booked to ride at Churchill Downs on Sept. 4-5 and will be allowed to ride there on Sept. 4 since the recent ruling does not prevent Smith from riding graded stakes, or designated races, that are exempt from routine suspensions.
Smith will serve an additional day of suspension at a later date if he rides on Sept. 4 for riding in stakes outside of California during a period of suspension, according to California Horse Racing Board rules.
Smith is riding at Churchill Downs on Sept. 5, but cannot ride at Del Mar on Sept. 6 or 7 since the track is not permitting riders to leave Del Mar, ride at another venue during the coronavirus pandemic, and return to Del Mar
The track lost three days of racing on July 17-19 because of a coronavirus outbreak in the jockeys’ room.
Through Sunday, Smith has won five races from 55 mounts at the current meeting.
Jockey Jose Valdivia Jr. has received a stay of a four-day suspension for causing interference in the first race on Aug. 21. Valdivia’s suspension was supposed to begin on Saturday, but he is booked to ride.