Suspension May Cost Kinane Derby Mount

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Jockey Michael Kinane was suspended for seven days for his ride on Sahara Desert in the Boadicea Conditions Stakes and may be unable to ride Johannesburg in the Kentucky Derby, the Racing Post reports. The jockey has 48 hours to appeal the suspension which is due to run from April 27-May 4, according to the report.

Kinane refused to comment as he left Newmarket Thursday, but a Newmarket steward explained the decision.

"Kinane made a maneuver where it ought to have been obvious to him that he would cause interference," Newmarket steward Jeremy Ker told the Racing Post. "Seven days is in the middle ground for a ban and five to ten days is the recommended number of days for a ban. He can appeal if he wishes."

A special dispensation to enable Kinane to ride in the Derby was ruled out by Bernie Hettel, chief steward for Kentucky and executive director of the Kentucky Racing Commission, who told Racing Post, "We will honor any suspension imposed by another jurisdiction."

The report says Coolmore could seek a court injunction against the stewards' deciscion, which would force a delay of the suspension and allow Kinane to ride Johannesburg in the Derby. The stable did just that last year so that Kinane could ride Galileo in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, according to the Racing Post. Last year's injunction, however, was based on a procedural error by stewards.

Sahara Desert won the race but was later disqualified, giving the win to Nemo Fugat.

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