By T. D. Thornton
Jockey Florent Geroux has been suspended two days by the Oaklawn Park stewards for “careless riding while allowing his mount to cause interference multiple times” after a winning ride in the Apr. 1 $200,000 Hot Springs S. that did not involve a foul claim, posted inquiry, or a disqualification.
The penalty was handed down in a Monday ruling. Eyeing Clover (Lookin At Lucky) scored by a length as the 9-5 second choice in Saturday's eighth race for owner Ten Strike Racing and trainer Brad Cox.
Eyeing Clover, who was racing with blinkers removed for the first time in his four-race career, caught a flyer out of post two, but then got outgunned for the lead by two outside rivals. Geroux conceded the top spot to save ground, but landed in a tight spot at the fence on the heels of the horse running second. He then shifted outward and appeared to briefly affect the momentum of the two trailers in the five-horse race.
Oaklawn announcer Jim Byers described the trouble as Eyeing Clover having to “steady sharply around that club turn.” The Equibase chart stated the colt “fell back off the leader early in the first turn, [was] rank [and] fell back soon after.”
Eyeing Clover briefly bumped with a rival just prior to splitting horses entering the far turn. In upper stretch, he drifted slightly prior to straightening out approaching the short-stretch wire.
The stewards specified Saturday, Apr. 8, and Friday, Apr. 14, as the dates Geroux must sit out, adding that, “During the term of his suspension, if named to ride in designated stakes races he may ride in them, but then must serve a replacement day of suspension for each day that he rides in a designated stake.”
It is unclear if Geroux will be appealing. A phone message left with his agent, John Panagot, did not yield a return call prior to deadline for this story.
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