Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. was arrested Oct. 26 on charges related to violence against his girlfriend, booked into jail, and bonded out ahead of the Breeders’ Cup, where he had been scheduled to ride in three races.
He will no longer compete in the World Championships Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland, as the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation suspended his jockey license. He will be unable to take any mounts in Kentucky.
The arrest on domestic violence-related charges occurred in Louisville, Ky., after, according to news reports, Santana’s girlfriend told metro police he held her by the neck two different times during arguments about his drinking. A metro police spokesperson told BloodHorse Oct. 27 via email, “Our 8th Division Officers arrested him on Monday evening around 11:30 pm. He is facing Strangulation 1st and Assault 4th DV (minor injury).”…