Santana arrested, won't ride Hymn in Breeders' Cup Sprint
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Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. was arrested Monday night in Louisville, Ky., on a pair of domestic violence charges, according to a report on the website of WLKY, Louisville’s CBS affiliate.
According to the report, officers responded to a call involving Santana and his girlfriend late Monday night at a house in Louisville. The woman told officers she had left their home to get away from Santana after an argument about his drinking.
The woman told police Santana became angry and grabbed her by the throat with both hands and pushed her against kitchen cabinets, causing pain to her head.
The report said that the woman told officers she was able to leave the home after the argument. However, when she returned to their home with food for her children, police said the two argued again, and Santana allegedly grabbed the woman by the throat and pushed her into the cabinets a second time.
According to the arrest report, the woman said the back of her head, her hip, back, palm, and wrist hurt. Officials said she also had photos showing redness on her throat from the first incident.
Santana, 33, was arrested and charged with first-degree strangulation (domestic violence) and fourth-degree assault (domestic violence), causing minor injury.
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Santana appeared in court Tuesday morning, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. The judge set his bond at $25,000.
Santana is scheduled to appear in court again on Nov. 4.
Santana, who has been riding on the New York Racing Association circuit for the last 18 months, was named to ride Hymn in Saturday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint, Foie Gras in the $1 million Filly and Mare Sprint, and Doncho, an also-eligible in the $1 million Turf Sprint.
Ron Moquett, trainer of Hymn, and Mike Maker, trainer of Foie Gras, both said Santana will be taken off those mounts.
In a posting on X, Moquett wrote that Santana would not ride the horse in the race. In a later X post, Moquett said Rafael Bejarano will ride Hymn.
Moquett wrote: “We have been made aware of the situation involving Ricardo. While we understand that everyone deserves due process, we have made the decision that Ricardo will not ride for us in the Breeders’ Cup. A replacement rider will be announced shortly. Our concern extends to everyone affected by this situation. We will be ready to support Ricardo in getting whatever help or counseling he may need. Accountability and compassion are not mutually exclusive.”
While Maker confirmed that Santana would not ride Foie Gras, he said is not in a hurry to name a replacement.
Of Santana, Maker said, "I've known him a long time, he's a good guy. I just hope he gets the help he needs."
Santana, 33, had a terrific Saratoga meet, where he won 45 races – fourth in the standings – including the Grade 1 Forego on Hymn and Grade 1 Spinaway on Summer Starlet. At the current Belmont Park fall meet, he ranks third in wins with 26.
This year, Santana has won 140 races (16th nationally), and his horses have earned $13.2 million, which puts him ninth nationally.
Santana is named to ride at Belmont Park on Wednesday through Friday.