Jockey Joe Patin Jr., arrested earlier this month on 11 criminal counts including possession of crack cocaine, has been suspended indefinitely by the Louisiana Racing Commission. The suspension, which began March 7, is pending until Patin appears before stewards to answer questions regarding the nonfulfilment of his riding engagements.
In late February, 39-year-old Patin was scheduled to ride mounts at Fair Grounds but did not meet those obligations. On March 1, he was arrested and booked into the St. Martin Parish jail after being involved in two traffic accidents and leaving the scene of the first one, The Times-Picayune reported. He bonded out of jail March 3.
Charles Gardiner, executive director of the Louisiana Racing Commission, said Patin will be prohibited from riding at another track or jurisdiction through reciprocity until he regains his license.
Patin, whose career has been interrupted several times by suspensions related to substance abuse, first lost his license in 1999 when he refused to submit to a drug test at Louisiana Downs. In November of 2006 he was awarded a conditional exercise rider’s license and regained his jockey’s license in April 2007. Gardiner said he was awarded the licenses with the condition that he submit to mandatory drug testing and until his recent arrest had lived up to the conditions.
From 5,977 career mounts, Patin has 522 winners to his name. This year, from 205 starters, he has a 15-25-30 standing.
