Los Angeles Times racing writer John Cherwa took a moment to congratulate TVG and Santa Anita for quick reactions to an inappropriate comment made by jockey Robby Albarado over the weekend. Albarado piloted champion filly Swiss Skydiver to victory in her 2021 debut in the Grade 1 Beholder Mile on Saturday.
While speaking with TVG's Britney Eurton on the Arcadia, Calif., track's live feed, Albarado was asked to describe his relationship to the gutsy winner of the 2020 Preakness over eventual Horse of the Year Authentic.
“You love this filly. You call her your girlfriend. How special is she to you?” asked Eurton.
“Well, I hit her once. I hope she still loves me,” was Albarado's answer.
TVG had been taping the interview with plans to air it, but chose not to after hearing Albarado's comment. Santa Anita reportedly also scrubbed the interview from its archive and departed from its usual practice of including quotes from the track feed in its circulations to media.
Albarado was charged in 2011 with assaulting his wife and later entered a guilty plea to a Class A misdemeanor for attempting to interfere with a witness in the case. In 2012, he was convicted of fourth degree wanton assault related to a fight with a girlfriend. That conviction was later overturned on appeal.
Cherwa also reported that Albarado later received a three-day suspension for his ride in the race because he raised his arm above his shoulder while striking the filly, contrary to California's revised whip rules.
Read more at the Los Angeles Times
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