Santa Anita: Espinoza accepts three-day ban

Jockey Victor Espinoza, who is booked to ride favored American Pharoah in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, has dropped an appeal of a three-day suspension for causing interference earlier this year.

Espinoza was cited on March 7 for his ride on Hauler in the sixth race at Santa Anita on March 6. Hauler finished seventh in a maiden race on the hillside turf course. There was no disqualification.

Espinoza’s reassigned suspension dates are May 8 through 10.

Jockey Santiago Gonzalez, who finished tied for ninth at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting this year, has been suspended three days – from Friday through Sunday – for causing interference on Gouyen in the fifth race on Friday.

Gouyen finished first in the hillside turf race but was disqualified and placed fifth for causing interference in the stretch when he bumped a rival.