Two jockeys at Philadelphia Park who were involved in a fight during a race last month have received hefty suspensions from track stewards.
According to the Philadelphia Daily News, jockey Erluis Vaz will be suspended for 200 days and Ademar Santos will serve a 90-day suspension as a result of their actions Jan. 8 during the fifth race, a contest for $7,500 claimers.
The fight, which drew widespread attention when it was viewed on YouTube, began when Vaz’s mount veered to the outside, colliding with Santos’ horses as the field raced down the backstretch. The jockeys exchanged words as the race continued, and Vaz reportedly shot a backhand at Santos who retaliated with a lefthanded hit to Vaz. Vaz then slashed Santos with his whip, according to the Daily News account.
As a result of the stewards’ action, Vaz will be suspended from Jan. 9 through July 27 and Santos’ suspension runs through April 8. Neither has ridden since Jan. 9, so the suspensions will be retroactive.