Second-Leading Delaware Rider Suspended 60 Days

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An altercation in the Delaware Park jockeys' room after the eighth race July 19 has resulted in the 60-day suspension of the racetrack's second-leading rider.

Jose Caraballo, 40, was handed the suspension and fined $2,500 by stewards for threatening fellow jockeys Ramon Dominguez and Abel Castellano Jr. with a knife. Stewards also ordered Caraballo to attend anger-management classes.

Caraballo and Castellano got into a heated argument after the race, in which the two were involved in a crowding incident on the turn. Dominguez tried to intercede, and it was then that Caraballo pulled out a knife, according to reports.

"Apparently, Ramon (Dominguez) stepped in and it escalated from there," said Steve Rushing, Dominguez's agent.

Stewards said the matter was handled by in-house security. No police report was filed.

"It was a verbal argument that got out of hand," Delaware Park steward Jack Houghton Jr. told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "Jose (Caraballo) took a pocketknife out and began wielding it at Castellano and Dominguez," Houghton said.

Castellano and Dominguez will not be fined or suspended, officials said. Caraballo's suspension began July 23. Through that period, he had 59 victories from 310 starters and earnings of more than $1.5 million at the Delaware Park meet.

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