New York manager has suspended apprentice jockey Jaime Torres for 14 days from racing for careless riding at Aqueduct race track On April 8 during the second race, which involved driver Jose Lezcano’s fall and injury.
In the April 14 ruling and later published on the New York State Gaming Commission website, the managers suspended Torres for April 20-23, April 27-30, 4-7. May and 11-12—all New York Circuit Racing Association race days. He waives the right to appeal, the ruling stated.
Torres was on the train center speed during a six-foot grass race when his horse stooped suddenly after dashing to a right-handed crop, causing a chain reaction of seeing another horse, Autumn staggered and fell, toppling Lezcano, and lady laoban and the jockey Manny Franco fell on top of her.
Both horses crashed through the inner rail. They fled after the spill, although Lady Laoban was brought back to the warehouse area. Jose Lezcano broke a bone in his right hand. Franco died without obvious injuries.
The managers downgraded Speed Center from sixth place and ranked her last because of interference.
Torres started riding in 2022 and had ridden 48 winners from 458 mounts through the end of the race on April 14.
The Daily Racing Form, which first reported the suspension, said Torres could still race in the coming weeks on days when New York Racing Association tracks are not running. Torres recently rode in The Parx . Race on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
