Aqueduct Stewards to Meet with Jockey Lezcano March 11

The Aqueduct Racetrack stewards will meet with jockey Jose Lezcano March 11 to discuss his controversial ride aboard Foxtail during a runner-up finish in the March 6 first race at the Big A.

According to New York Racing Association spokesperson Pat McKenna, the stewards talked with Lezcano March 6 and scheduled the formal meeting for Friday when racing resumes at Aqueduct.

"The stewards have met with Jose Lezcano to discuss his actions aboard Foxtail during Sunday's first race at Aqueduct. A formal film review is scheduled for Friday," said McKenna, NYRA's vice president of communications.

Lezcano's ride on Foxtail was called into question when he took several looks at the horses racing inside of him-including one lengthy turn of his head-in the stretch. Foxtail was then passed by a horse outside of him and battled back but wound up a neck behind the victorious Indian Bella.

I need an explanation!

pic.twitter.com/POuu5VPsZ7

— Faisal (@DeepRacing) March 6, 2022

In the equibase.com chart of the race, it reported that Foxtail "stalked outside the leading duo under stout restraint" and then "took the advantage while the rider took five more looks to the inside into upper stretch." The footnote went on to report Foxtail "was asked while surprised by the presence of the winner to her outside at the three-sixteenths then lost the advantage, kept on under a drive while fighting inside that foe in the final furlong and just missed while well clear for the place."

A call to Lezcano's agent, Jason Beides, about the incident was not returned.