Seven jockeys cited for riding infractions at Los Alamitos

CYPRESS, Calif. – The first week of the Los Alamitos summer meeting was a rough one for jockeys.

Four riders were cited for five instances of violating new rules for whip abuse, two riders misjudged the finish line and received suspensions, and two riders were disqualified for causing interference.

On July 1, the California Horse Racing Board enacted tougher whip rules stating riders could strike a horse on the flank only three times in succession before pausing to allow the horse to respond.

In the first week at Los Alamitos, Christian Aragon, Salvador Iniguez, Edwin Maldonado, and Felipe Valdez on two occasions, were fined for excessive use. The first offenses drew a $200 fine, and Valdez was fined $300 for a second offense.

Jockeys Brayan Pena and Eswan Flores were suspended for misjudging the finish line.

Pena was cited for not riding Our Trooper to the finish in the fourth race July 2. Our Trooper finished second, beaten a half-length. Pena’s seven-day suspension begins Thursday and covers the final four days of the current summer meeting and the first three days of the Del Mar summer meeting, July 16-18.

Flores was cited for his ride on Delaney’s Joy in the seventh race last Saturday. Flores briefly stood up in the saddle in the final sixteenth but resumed riding in the final strides. Delaney’s Joy finished in a dead heat for second.

Flores was suspended three days: on Saturday and Sunday this weekend and July 16.

Jockeys Bruno Panicucci and Aragon were suspended for causing interference last week. Panicucci is suspended this week and July 16, while Aragon is suspended three days, from Friday through Sunday.