Jockeys Calvin Borel and Javier Castellano were fined $5,000 and $2,500 respectively for their roles in a post-rate fight in the winner's circle following the Breeders' Cup Marathon (gr. III). Castellano was additionally handed a six-day suspension for rough riding during the Nov. 5 race, Kentucky racing stewards have ruled.
Castellano was banned from riding Nov. 11-14 and Nov. 17-18.
The decision was issued Nov. 7 after Borel and Castellano agreed to waive their right to a formal hearing before racing officials.
Stewards reviewed film of the incident Nov. 6 when they also interviewed both riders as well as jockey Martin Garcia.
Garcia, aboard Romp in the 1 3/4-mile Marathon, was nearly unseated in traffic at the five-sixteenths pole when Castellano, on Garcia's inside aboard Prince Will I Am, veered out and bulled his way through a small opening, bumping Romp in the process. Borel, advancing aboard A. U. Miner on the outside of Romp, had his progress impeded leaving the final turn. A. U. Miner was bumped hard and steadied by Borel when Romp was forced out by Castellano's action.
A scuffle broke out between Borel and Castellano in the winner's circle following the race after the jockeys had weighed out.
In front of a big crowd in the winner's circle gathered there with race winner Eldaafer and before a national television audience on ESPN, an angry Borel confronted Castellano, thrusting a finger in the other jockey's face. Castellano reacted and a flurry of punches were thrown before several onlookers dragged Borel away.
Borel, red-faced and livid, continued to shout expletives in the direction of Castellano, some of which were picked up by television microphones.
Prince Will I Am was disqualified from his runner-up finish in the official order and placed behind Romp in 10th. A. U. Miner, the original fourth-place finisher, was moved up to third.
