Jockey Umberto Rispoli, who through Monday was tied for second in the jockey’s standings at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting, was denied an appeal on Wednesday of a four-day suspension that will begin on Saturday.

Rispoli was cited for his ride on Mo Fox Givin, who finished third in the $102,000 Blue Norther Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at a mile on turf on Dec. 29. According to a ruling published by stewards Luis Jauregui, David Nuesch, and Kim Sawyer the following day, Rispoli was cited for failing to maintain a straight course and careless riding.

Trainer Brendan Galvin plans to relocate his 25-horse stable from Golden Gate Fields to Santa Anita later this month, a decision he said on Thursday was pushed forward by several months because of a recent purse cut at the Northern California track.

Golden Gate Fields, which is scheduled for permanent closure in June, reduced overnight purses approximately 25 percent at the start of the track’s current winter-spring meeting on Dec. 26 because of a purse overpayment of more than $3 million accrued in recent years.

All-sources handle at the 31-day Aqueduct fall meeting that concluded Sunday was $237,230,344, up 9.1 percent from the $217,379,882 handled at the 29-day Aqueduct fall meeting in 2022, according to figures provided by the New York Racing Association.

The average daily handle of $7,652,595 at the 2023 fall meet, was up 2.1 percent over the $7,495,858 average daily handle at the 2022 fall stand.

Ontrack handle at the 2023 fall meet was $21,200,308, up 4.8 percent from the 2022 fall figure of $20,236,438.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The first invitation lists for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational and $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf were released Wednesday topped by a couple of horses coming off huge efforts in the Breeders’ Cup.

Dirt Mile runner-up National Treasure and Mile winner Master of The Seas headline the respective lists although the latter is not under consideration for the Turf. The Pegasus World Cup program, which also includes the $500,000 Filly and Mare Turf, will be run Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park.

Longtime Ontario horseman Tommy O’Keefe passed away Dec. 22 after battling bone cancer at 82.

Born in Ireland, O’Keefe eventually immigrated to Canada and became a successful trainer. He won 245 races, including 15 stakes, for earnings of more than $6 million.

“Tommy was a great horse person who truly loved the game,” jockey agent Steve Roberts said. “In the days since he passed, I’ve heard so many great stories about Tommy from other trainers and horse people. He had the respect of so many people.”