Gomez fined, Espinoza suspended for Santa Anita Derby antics

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Jockey Garrett Gomez has been fined $750 and jockey Victor Espinoza has been suspended for three days of riding after what happened at Saturday’s Santa Anita Derby.

Lookin At Lucky, the race favorite, had to be steadied by Gomez and shuffled back heading into the final turn of the 1 1/8-mile race after the horse Espinoza was riding angled toward the rail.

Afterward, Gomez threw a punch at Espinoza.

The California Horse Racing Board of stewards held a hearing on the incident Sunday morning and imposed the fine on Gomez and the suspension on Espinoza effective next Sunday. Espinoza said apologies had been exchanged Saturday night.

And Lookin At Lucky trainer Bob Baffert said Gomez would retain the mount for the Kentucky Derby.

‘Garrett came by the barn this morning and we talked things over,’ Baffert said. ‘I didn’t like where the horse was the first 100 yards, but I should have told Garrett exactly what to do. I just left it up to him, and I messed it up.’

Sidney’s Candy won the race, with Lookin At Lucky finishing third.

-- Eric Sondheimer