Smith can ride Justify in Preakness despite suspension

ARCADIA, Calif. – Despite a four-day suspension for careless riding at Santa Anita on May 6, Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith will be able to ride Justify in the Preakness Stakes next Saturday.

Thursday, Santa Anita stewards suspended Smith from next Thursday, May 17, through next Sunday, May 20, for his ride aboard Achira in an optional claimer on turf. Achira won the one-mile race, but drifted out several paths in the final furlong. In a majority decision, the stewards did not disqualify Achira for the incident, stating that runner-up Helen Hillary was not cost a better placing, but held Smith responsible for his mount’s action.

Smith will be able to ride stakes at Pimlico next Friday and Saturday, including Justify in the Preakness, because those stakes are rated as designated races, which are exempt from routine suspensions.

California’s designated race rule allows jockeys to ride stakes while under suspension for 10 or fewer days. If Smith rides designated races out of state for two days, he will have to serve two additional days of suspension.

It is likely Smith will not ride next Thursday or next Sunday, and will then serve the two additional days of suspension later this month.

The Achira incident was the second time in 60 days Smith was suspended for careless riding. He was cited for his ride on McKinzie in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on Mach 10 when his mount was disqualified from first to second for causing interference to runner-up Bolt d’Oro near the finish of the Triple Crown prep. Smith received a three-day suspension for that infraction.