By T. D. Thornton
Emilio Tapia, a Quarter Horse jockey at Ruidoso Downs, has been fined $500 by that track's stewards for punching his mount after the 2-year-old filly finished fifth in a maiden race.
A stewards' ruling dated July 21 stated that Tapia was “acting in an unprofessional manner when returning to the unsaddling area with his mount Famous Long Eagle following the second race on July 14,” and that his breach of conduct further included “striking horse in the belly with his fist in front of grandstand.”
The chart caller's notes for the 400-yard sprint stated “no mishap” for Famous Long Eagle, who went off at 3.8-1 odds. Tapia had ridden the filly in two previous races.
Tapia has been licensed since 2012, according to Equibase. He rides primarily in New Mexico and Arizona, and has compiled lifetime win-place-show Quarter Horse stats of 295-263-273 with $4.9 million in earnings. He has a lifetime record of 4-for-26 in Thoroughbred races, but has not ridden that breed since 2020.
In the past year, Tapia has twice been suspended seven days for “careless riding” infractions at Ruidoso and the Downs at Albuquerque.
It was unclear at deadline for this story if Tapia planned to appeal his fine. The ruling stated he has 10 days to do so.
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