Stewards decline to sanction Lezcano for ride

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The New York stewards took no action against jockey Jose Lezcano for his peculiar ride aboard Foxtail in Sunday’s first race at Aqueduct.

Lezcano was aboard Foxtail, the 2-1 second choice in the race. Lezcano seemed to have a handful of horse as he cruised up to the leaders three wide at the quarter pole. Lezcano did not ask his horse for run, but kept looking to his inside, specifically at That Is Key, who Foxtail was at least a length in front of.

Lezcano still hadn’t asked his horse to run at the three-sixteenths pole when Indian Bella, under Trevor McCarthy, came to him. Lezcano started to ask his horse for run, but was outfinished by Indian Bella and lost by a neck.

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The stewards said they spoke with Lezcano after the race and then set a formal film review with him on Friday. Following the review, they released the following statement through NYRA spokesman Pat McKenna:

“Following a formal film review of Sunday’s opening race at Aqueduct Racetrack, the Board of Stewards will take no action against jockey Jose Lezcano for his ride aboard Foxtail. The matter remains under ongoing review.”

The stewards would not elaborate regarding the ongoing review.

Lezcano declined comment Friday at Aqueduct.

Linda Rice, who trained Foxtail, said Lezcano told her he should have asked his filly for run at the quarter pole.

“In her two previous races she was running off,” Rice said. “Jose tried to rate her. If he had turned her head loose he felt she would have emptied out. I’m forgiving Jose. He screwed up. He told me he screwed up. He’s ridden many, many great races for me. Am I going to use Jose? Absolutely.”

In fact, Rice and Lezcano teamed to win Friday’s third race with first-time starter Mo Dancin.

◗ Among the 318 workers at Belmont Park on Friday morning was Early Voting, who breezed a half-mile in 47.88 seconds in company with recent allowance winner Southern District. Early Voting, winner of the Grade 3 Withers for trainer Chad Brown, is pointing to the Grade 2 Wood Memorial on April 9.