Prat suspended for violation of designated race rule

Jockey Flavien Prat, who has won or tied for leading rider at four meetings at Del Mar and Santa Anita this year, has been suspended Dec. 30 and 31 for riding in more than one designated race at Del Mar last weekend.

Prat was suspended two days last weekend after dropping an appeal from a penalty issued at Santa Anita in June. He was allowed to ride graded stakes last Saturday and Sunday because such races are exempt from routine suspensions through California’s designated race rule. However, jockeys are allowed to ride only one designated race on a day in which they are serving a suspension. A jockey who rides more than one designated race must serve an additional day of suspension.

Prat had three mounts in graded stakes last Saturday and Sunday. The Dec. 30-31 programs are the next days of racing with programs comparable to last weekend at Del Mar, with three graded stakes tentatively scheduled for Dec. 30.

Prat, 25, has won 162 races this year and ranks ninth in the nation in earnings, with a career-best $12,381,518 through Tuesday.