Several jockeys serving suspensions

ELMONT, N.Y. – Three jockeys who ride regularly at Belmont Park will be serving suspensions of varying lengths this week.

Last Saturday, Manny Franco started a seven-day suspension for a careless riding infraction in regard to the first race on June 15. Franco, the 10th-leading rider at the Belmont meet with 20 wins, will be eligible to ride on Sunday. The suspension was reduced from 10 days for waiving his appeal.

John Velazquez on Sunday began serving a nine-day suspension handed him by the British Horse Racing Authority for his ride on Kimari at the Royal Ascot meet. Velazquez was cited for using his whip in an incorrect manner aboard the filly, who finished second in the Queen Mary Stakes on June 19. The suspension was originally to be served from July 3-11, but Velazquez, with cooperation from the New York Gaming Commission, moved up the dates of that suspension so he wouldn’t miss the July 6 Stars and Stripes card at Belmont or the July 11 opening-day program at Saratoga.

Dylan Davis will miss Wednesday through Friday for his ride on Spice Road, who on June 20 was disqualified for interfering with Meet Me in LA in a maiden race at Belmont. Davis will be eligible to ride on Saturday.