Santana serving three days for Saratoga riding infraction

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. will be sidelined until Saturday, Sept. 25, while serving a three-day suspension stemming from a riding infraction on Aug. 25 at Saratoga, where his mount, Winter Pool, was allowed to remain the winner by the stewards after bumping a rival.

Santana, 28, is on pace for his best year ever in a riding career that began in the U.S. in 2009. The Panama native already has amassed nearly $14 million in mount earnings in 2021. His best year to date was 2019, when he earned $16.7 million.

Desormeaux riding at Churchill

Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux was named on two mounts Saturday and is named on two more Sunday at Churchill. Desormeaux is not riding at the current Thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos on his home circuit in Southern California, where Santa Anita opens its fall meet Oct. 1.

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Desormeaux, a three-time winner of the Kentucky Derby, has not ridden at Churchill since Prime Attraction was fourth in the Grade 1 Clark in November 2018. All four of his mounts here this weekend were for his brother, trainer Keith Desormeaux.

◗ Bronze statues of Churchill legends Matt Winn and John Asher were unveiled Thursday morning in the track plaza in a ceremony honoring both. The statues depict the men sitting on benches engrossed in animated conversation.