Jockey Luis Saez Suspended 15 Racing Days For Derby Ride

Just over a week after the Kentucky Derby gave us one of the most exciting, yet controversial endings in the 145 year history of the race, the Kentucky stewards have suspended Luis Seaz for 15 racing days after his ride on Maximum Security in the 145th Kentucky Derby.

The stewards handed down the suspension late Sunday and was reported by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission on Monday morning. The ruling cited the suspension was for "failure to control his mount and make a proper effort to maintain a straight course thereby causing interference with several rivals that resulted in the disqualification of his mount."

As reported by Byron King of the Daily Racing Form, Saez will appeal the suspension. He is suspended for the racing days on May 23-27, May 30-June 2, June 6-9, June 13-14.

It does however, raise a question on whether the suspension would be enforced if Saez moved back to ride in New York? According to a source, in most cases, racing jurisdictions will honor a suspension handed down in a different jurisdiction. However, they have the option to make exceptions on certain days. If New York honors the suspension as it currently stands, then Saez will not be able to ride on Belmont Stakes day on Saturday, June 8th.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the coming days and how fans of the sport will react to this news.