Jockey Manny Franco, who recently celebrated a victory aboard Leading Change in the prestigious Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, has been handed a one-day suspension for violating riding crop regulations. The suspension was announced by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) on Thursday.
Franco's infraction occurred during the Travers Stakes held on Saturday, where he was cited for using his riding crop seven times during the race. This breach of HISA's rules classifies as a Class 3 violation, which typically results in a minimum one-day suspension and a fine. Alongside his suspension, Franco will also face a financial penalty of $6,875.
In addition to Franco, fellow jockey John Velazquez, who rode the runner-up Napoleon Solo, also received a one-day suspension for his own riding crop violations. Velazquez was reported to have used his crop eight times during the race, resulting in a fine of $1,250 in addition to his suspension. Both riders will serve their suspensions on September 24, after the Saratoga summer meet concludes.
The regulations set forth by HISA allow jockeys to strike their horses with a riding crop a maximum of six times in a race. Exceeding this limit by one to three strikes is categorized as a Class 3 violation. Given that the Travers Stakes boasts a substantial purse of $1.25 million, the penalties are reflective of the seriousness of the offense.
This season has been a standout for the 31-year-old Franco, who entered Thursday's racing card with 63 wins, placing him just two victories behind Jose Ortiz for the lead in the Saratoga meet. Franco's performance this year has positioned him as a contender for his first Saratoga riding title, especially as Ortiz and third-place jockey Flavien Prat will be competing at Kentucky Downs for part of the remaining meet.
Franco's triumph in the Travers Stakes marked his second victory in this iconic race, following his earlier win with Tiz the Law in 2020. As he aims to surpass Ortiz and fend off Prat in the final days of the meet, Franco is also on track to challenge the Saratoga single-season record of 68 wins, set by Ramon Dominguez in 2012.
As the summer meet draws to a close, the implications of these suspensions and the jockey standings will be closely monitored by fans and participants alike, highlighting the competitive nature of horse racing at Saratoga.
Leave a Comment