Veteran jockey Victor Molina was ejected from the grounds of Philadelphia Park Monday after the track received numerous complaints concerning his actions prior to the start of the third race.
Molina, who was scheduled to ride the Clifford Sise-trained Yes Yes Ohyes, a 2-year-old colt, became pinned briefly in the starting gate when the colt reared and became stuck. After the colt was backed out of the gate and ordered scratched by the track veterinarian, Molina went to get his tack off and proceeded to kick the colt in the stomach. The kick was broadcast to a national audience by TVG, which telecasts Philadelphia Park racing on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The amount of phone calls and e-mails from outraged fans to the track prompted director of racing Sal Sinatra to call the stewards with the intention of having Molina removed from the rest of his mounts Monday and all of his mounts Tuesday, followed afterward by a formal hearing.
“Victor (Molina) acted very humbly and knew he had screwed up,” said Sinatra, “but decided to abide by (Jockeys') Guild rules, which forced us to have the head of security serve him with a formal notice and he was escorted off the grounds. He has been ejected indefinitely.”
Sinatra said a hearing with stewards was set for 11 a.m. Tuesday, and he intended to get statements from Yes Yes Ohyes’ owner, Hidden Meadows Farm, and the trainer.
“Victor is the last person in the room who I’d expect this from,” said Sinatra. “He did use very, very poor judgment. It’s unfortunate, because he’s one of the classier guys in our jockey colony.”
