The New Mexico Racing Commission has issued a 30-day suspension and $2,500 fine to jockey Hector Aldrete for his ride aboard Quarter Horse Starlite Eagle in the fifth race at the Downs at Albuquerque on Sept. 18, 2022.
The 870-yard race, held around the bend, was for Quarter Horses, 3-years-old and up. Starlite Eagle went off as the third choice in the field of eight horses at odds of 3.90-1. The 6-year-old gray gelding is owned and trained by Martin Orona, Jr.
According to the ruling, posted to the Association of Racing Commissioners International website, Aldrete “failed to ride the horse out, standing up approximately 1/16th of a mile before the finish,” causing the horse to drop from “3rd place to finish in 6th place.”
Aldrete's suspension is scheduled to run from Oct. 23 through Nov. 22.
The multiple graded stakes-winning rider has been riding races since 2007, with a Quarter Horse record of 308 winners from 3,147 starters, and a Thoroughbred record of 19 wins from 392 starters.
Watch the race replay below (Aldrete and Starlite Eagle, a gray gelding, break from the rail position wearing saddle cloth number one):
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