Velazquez to appeal suspension
Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, who through Monday was second in the jockey standings at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting, has launched an appeal of a recent three-day suspension for careless riding, according to his agent Ron Anderson.
Velazquez was cited for “failing to maintain a straight course through the stretch” on Con On the Run in the first race on Jan. 14, according to a ruling published on Saturday by track stewards Luis Jauregui, Will Meyers, and Kim Sawyer.
Con On the Run finished first and was disqualified and placed second. The suspension was scheduled to cover racing days this Saturday and Sunday and Jan. 28. With the appeal, Velazquez can ride on those days.
Through Monday, the most recent day of racing, Velazquez was second in the standings with 18 wins, trailing leader Flavien Prat with 29 wins.
Anderson said Velazquez will be based at Santa Anita for the time being, with the exception a trip to Oaklawn Park on Jan. 29.