Gulfstream jockey gets max suspension for scrutinized ride

Gulfstream Park stewards on Wednesday suspended jockey Tony Maragh the maximum allowed through Florida statutes  -- 60 days and a $1,000 fine -- for not persevering on his mount, Musical Heart, in Sunday’s fourth race.

Gulfstream Park General Manager Bill Badgett said the track is further reviewing the race through an internal investigation. Musical Heart finished second, beaten only a head by Richest Gifts.

Maragh said during a hearing Wednesday that he was unable to persevere with Musical Heart because he felt weak and thought he might fall off his mount.

As part of its ongoing investigation, Gulfstream officials and stewards have also spoken to Musical Heart’s trainer and also the uncle of Tony, Aubrey Maragh. The well-known rider Rajiv Maragh is Tony's cousin.

According to the Daily Racing Form, Tony Maragh struggles to make weight and did not initially plan to ride Sunday. Aubrey Maragh told reporter Marty McGee that the jockey lost six pounds in the sauna and that "“he was cramping and felt like he needed to jump off, like he was going to pass out, but that God saved him.”

UPDATED: Gulfstream Park in a separate announcement said Aubrey Maragh was trespassed administratively by Gulfstream Park officials Wednesday and will not be allowed on track grounds pending an internal investigation into Sunday’s fourth race.

Tony Maragh can be seen riding the No. 7 horse: