Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez was found to have used his whip seven times aboard Mind Control during the Dec. 5 running of the Grade 1 Cigar Mile, one strike over the limit of six allowed under the rules of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority.
According to a ruling posted on the online HISA portal, Velazquez was fined $4,017.00 (10 percent of his earnings from the race) and suspended one day for the infraction. Velazquez was also handed three cumulative violation points.
Cumulative violation points expire after six months: riders who accrue 11-15 points receive a 7-day suspension; 16-20 points, a 15-day suspension; and 20-plus points results in a 30-day suspension.
The Cigar Mile infraction is the only whip violation Velazquez currently has listed in the HISA portal.
Mind Control won the $750,000 contest by a head in the final start of his career, besting Get Her Number and White Abarrio in a three-way stretch battle. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Mind Control is a 6-year-old son of Stay Thirsty.
Watch the race replay here:
The post John Velazquez Fined $4,017, Suspended One Day For Whip Violation Aboard Mind Control In Cigar Mile appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
