Aqueduct Paddock Brawl Brings Jockey Punishment

Julio Pezua was suspended for careless riding and Nick Santagata fined Thursday by track stewards, a day after the jockeys fought in the paddock at Aqueduct.

The altercation, which resulted in hospital treatment for Pezua, happened after Wednesday’s ninth race. Pezua, suspended for 10 days, won the race aboard Talc’s Reward but was disqualified to last for interference.

The New York Post reported that Santagata, whose horse, Silent Lou, was impeded, tackled Pezua near the scales after lodging a foul claim. The newspaper said Santagata punched Pezua in the face and gave him a head butt.

Pezua was treated at a hospital, where doctors closed a three-inch gash in his head.

The rough-riding suspension, to have covered 10 racing days through Jan. 18, was the third in a month for Pezua. Santagata was fined $500 because the stewards determined he was the aggressor in the post-race brawl.