By T. D. Thornton
Jockey Ramon Vazquez was fined $1,000 and suspended two days last week for acting as “the aggressor, assaulting Jockey David Cabrera while his back was turned,” in the Prairie Meadows jockeys room after the running of fifth race on July 19.
A Prairie Meadows stewards ruling dated July 26 states that the penalty is the result of a “stipulated agreement” negotiated by Vazquez via his attorney, the horse owner Maggi Moss, and the track stewards on July 20. Vazquez had already served his suspension by sitting out the two days following the assault by the time the ruling was released.
As part of a ruling that is considered “final” and “cannot be appealed,” Vazquez “acknowledges the Prairie Meadows Security report…is accurate and factual in information,” and that in addition to the fine and suspension, he will be placed on probation through the end of the race meet.
A review of the replay of the race referenced in the ruling does not indicate any obvious incident that led to the altercation. Cabrera's mount won, while Vazquez' horse finished fifth, and the two were riding in distinctly separate paths for most of the 5 1/2-furlong sprint.
Entering Friday's racing, Cabrera was the meet's winningest rider (60 wins), with Vazquez one victory behind (59).
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