Quarter Horse jockey Guerrero suspended

A Quarter Horse jockey has been summarily suspended by the stewards at Indiana Grand in Shelbyville, Ind., after being linked to the discovery of an electrical device, according to the track stewards.

Juan Guerrero, who won the only Quarter Horse race on the Tuesday night card at Indiana Grand, was suspended Wednesday indefinitely, according to Stan Bowker, the chief state steward. Bowker would not comment beyond confirming the suspension, citing an ongoing investigation.

Thoroughbred records do not show any starts for Guerrero this year, and Bowker said he believes the jockey has only ridden Quarter Horses. The horse he was riding Tuesday night, Stone Toasted, trained by Randy Smith, was the even-money favorite in the race, an allowance with a $16,335 purse.

Joe Gorajec, the executive director of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission, said Guerrero will face a stewards’ hearing within the next several weeks. After that, the case will be sent to the commission for a penalty determination, Gorajec said.

Guerrero is the fifth rider this year to be linked to the possession or use of an electrical device during a race, following Roman Chapa, a jockey in Texas; Pierre Hernandez-Ortega, a rider at Parx near Philadelphia; and Billy and Joseph Patin Jr., brothers who ride in Louisiana.