Gulfstream Park officials have ruled that the 10 jockeys recently banned by other tracks
will not be allowed to participate in the upcoming 2007 racing season pending
the results of an investigation, The
Blood-Horse reports. The track exercised its right as a private property
owner to deny the riders access.
Alex Beitia, Derek Bell, Jorge Bracho, Jose Bracho, Luis Castillo, Jose
Delgado, Rene Douglas, Terry Houghton, Joseph Judice and Ricardo Valdes will not
be allowed to ride at Gulfstream when the meet opens on January 3, 2007.
“These guys just want to do the right thing,” said Herberto Rivera,
a representative for the Jockeys’ Guild. “They don’t know what they’ve done
wrong, and they don’t want to do anything without having clearance to do it.
It’s tough; either the tracks should accuse them of something or let them go.”
Douglas and Jose Bracho were barred by Calder two weeks ago. Several days
later, Beitia was ruled off by Philadelphia Park, and the other seven riders
were banned by Tampa Bay Downs. The Tampa Bay and Philadelphia bans have been
linked to an ongoing investigation by the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau
(TRPB), but officials have not revealed whether the Calder bans are connected as
well.
None of the banned jockeys have been suspended or charged with any
particular offense. Some other tracks have continued to allow the riders to
compete, including Laurel Park and
Hawthorne Race Course.
“We can’t operate blindly,” Hawthorne Track President Tim Carey explained.
“Unless we are given a ruling, or are presented significant information on the
issue that is preventing the riders in question from being allowed to compete at
these tracks, we will not pass judgment. They will be viewed in good standing.”
Rivera said some of the jockeys have been trying to find jobs as exercise
riders to continue earning income while others are idle based on the advice of their
attorneys.
“We’re just trying to reassure these guys because they’re down and out,” he
said. “We’re hoping since Christmas is over, these tracks will come forward with
something so we can at least start to develop a defense. The jockeys in question
all have lawyers, and we’re going to stand behind them to find out what’s gong
on.”