Jockey Juan Carlos Villanueva has been suspended 30 racing days over reckless riding that caused the disqualification of his mount, Drinkroundthetruth, in the 10th race on June 4, 2023, at New Mexico's Ruidoso Downs Racetrack.
In the stretch run, Villanueva can be seen intentionally impeding the progress of the 5 horse, Mr. Rigger, multiple times from the sixteenth pole to the finish line. Following the completion of the race, the inquiry sign was posted; from that point, it only took 3 minutes and 10 seconds for the disqualification of Villanueva and Drinkroundthetruth to be announced.
According to a ruling posted to the Association of Racing Commissioners International website, the Board of Stewards met with Villanueva and translator Luis H. Rodriguez on June 9, 2023. Villanueva will not be allowed to ride in designated races during his suspension, which will occur on the following dates: June 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, July 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, August 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20.
Possessing a jockey's license since 2012, Villanueva has won multiple stakes races aboard Thoroughbreds in New Mexico. His record includes just over 100 Thoroughbred wins, and another 34 wins aboard Quarter Horses.
Villanueva was recently fined $250 for his role in a fight in the jockey's room at Zia Park on Nov. 6, 2022, which caused multiple rider changes throughout the program.
The post Watch: Jockey Suspended 30 Days For Reckless Riding After Wild Stretch Run At Ruidoso Downs appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
