New York suspends apprentice jockey Jaime Torres 14 days

Apprentice jockey Jaime Torres has been suspended for 14 days in April and May for careless riding.

Torres was disciplined for his ride on Central Speed in the second race at Aqueduct last Saturday, a turf sprint for New York-bred maidens. Near the three sixteenths, Central Speed ducked in sharply under a right-handed crop. As a result, Autumn clipped heels and fell, then Lady Laoban fell over Autumn. Central Speed crossed the wire sixth, but was disqualified to last for ducking in.

Jockey Jose Lezcano, who was unseated when Autumn fell, broke his hand and is out indefinitely. Manny Franco, who was unseated from Lady Laoban, was uninjured and rode the rest of the card.

Torres will serve his suspension April 20-23, April 27-30, May 4-7 and May 11-12, according to an April 14 ruling by the New York State Gaming Commission. The suspension was first reported by David Grening of Daily Racing Form.

Torres will be allowed to ride Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays; his suspension only covers days that the NYRA circuit runs. This means Torres can still ride at Parx on those days, which he has done regularly since Jan. 25.