Top jockeys handed three-day suspensions

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Keeneland stewards have handed out three-day suspensions to superstar jockeys in town for opening weekend to the fall meet.

Joel Rosario and the Ortiz brothers Irad and Jose all will sit out Oct. 19-21 after being cited for riding infractions on the opening-day card Friday. All three riders are Eclipse Award winners based mainly in New York.

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Rosario was set down after his mount, Olga Isabel, was lowered from first to second in a controversial disqualification in the fifth race.

Jose Ortiz was suspended after his mount in the Grade 1 Alcibiades Stakes, Raging Sea, was disqualified from third to fourth for deep-stretch interference.

Irad Ortiz Jr. was penalized because his mount in the 10th race, ninth-place finisher Longpants Required, was ruled to have caused interference to a rival to his inside, causing that horse to be pinched back.

Whereas Keeneland runs Oct. 19-21, Aqueduct is dark the first of those days, a Wednesday.

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