Velazquez Fined, Suspended for Cigar Mile Ride

Jockey John Velazquez has been fined $4,017 and suspended for one day (Dec. 10) for his ride on Mind Control   in the Dec. 3 Cigar Mile Handicap Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) at Aqueduct Racetrack, according to a Dec. 7 ruling.

During the race, he struck the horse seven times which is one more than is permitted by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA).

Under HISA regulations, a violation of one to three strikes over the six-strike limit is a Class 3 violation, resulting in fines of $250 or 10% of a jockey's portion of the purse—whichever is greater.

Mind Control, a 6-year-old son of Stay Thirsty  , is trained by Todd Pletcher for Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stables. Velazquez's first time on the mount was a victory in the 2018 Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.

Also on Saturday's card at Aqueduct was the Demoiselle Stakes (G2) in which Velazquez rode Affirmative Lady  to a runner-up finish behind Julia Shining  for trainer Graham Motion and owner AMO Racing.

The Hall of Famer has been fined previously for using his riding crop improperly including a $500 fine by the New York Gaming Commission in 2015 for "inappropriate use of his whip on a horse" when riding Tonalist   to a runner-up finish in the Suburban Handicap (G2).