Garcia gets seven-day suspension
Jockey Martin Garcia, who through Sunday was second in the jockey standings, has been suspended seven days for careless riding in the ninth race at Del Mar on Saturday, the fourth time he has been suspended for that infraction at this meeting.
Garcia has amassed 20 days of suspension this meeting. Earlier in the meeting, he was served with a three-day suspension and twice with five-day suspensions. He has not served any of the days, having launched the appeal process on the first three suspensions.
Garcia received a more severe suspension this time because of the accumulation of penalties, according to steward Scott Chaney.
In Saturday's ninth race, Garcia finished second aboard Awesome Gambler, but was disqualified and placed eighth for causing interference to Frank the Barber in early stretch.
Sunday, Garcia said he was not sure whether he would launch an appeal on the latest suspension, pending discussions with his agent, Roger Olguin. The latest suspension is scheduled to begin on Sunday and continue until Aug. 27.
Olguin said that Garcia has been surprised by the suspensions.
"They've scared him now," Olguin said of Garcia's reaction. "He doesn't ride with confidence."
Ya Right. The boy hasn't hit the ground and been stepped on yet. Then he will be scared.
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