Stewards discipline three jockeys for rides

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Jockeys Manny Franco and Luis Saez will start the week on suspension, and colleague Paco Lopez was fined $1,500 in three separate incidents that were termed careless riding by the stewards.

Franco, the leading rider at the meet with 17 wins, and Saez will each serve three-day suspensions and will be eligible to return for Saturday’s Cigar Mile card. For waiving their right of appeal, the suspensions were reduced from five days. Meanwhile, Lopez is appealing his fine.

Franco was suspended for allowing his mount, Latrevo, to impede Lillard Hall in the vicinity of the half-mile pole in the first race Nov. 10. Though Latrevo finished fifth and Lillard Hall last, the stewards did not change the order of finish.

Saez was suspended for his ride on Killybegs Captain in the seventh race Nov. 15. Killybegs Captain came out several paths in the stretch and bothered several horses, most notably Forge, who finished last. Killybegs Captain finished fourth and again there was no objection or inquiry.

On Nov. 24, in the sixth race, Lopez rode High Jingo to a third-place finish. While Lopez allowed his mount to come out a few paths, he never bumped another horse, and the incident did not impact the outcome of the race.