Times wires
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Horses
Jockey, steward cited for incident at Breeders' cup
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Jockey John Velazquez and steward John Veitch violated state racing guidelines by allowing Life At Ten to race in November's Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic at Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission ruled Thursday.
Velazquez told a TV reporter moments before the race that Life At Ten didn't warm up properly. The horse was not scratched but jogged behind the field for the 11/8-mile race. A postrace exam found no major issues. Life At Ten is owned by Candy DeBartolo, wife of former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo, and is trained by Todd Pletcher.
The 161-page report determined there was "no evidence of intentional wrongdoing or nefarious or fraudulent activity" but there was a "systematic breakdown in communications" and a "failure of common sense to prevail."
It says Velazquez should've alerted vets about his concerns or given her a normal ride. For doing neither, he is cited for engaging "in conduct that is against the best interest of horse racing." Velazquez could not be reached for comment. Veitch, a Hall of Fame trainer, was cited for failing to carefully monitor the situation.
The case moves to a hearing officer, who will determine if the violations occurred and could recommend discipline. There is no timetable for that.
Zenyatta pregnant: Zenyatta, the 2010 horse of the year, is pregnant and due in February, according to her manager. About two weeks ago, she was mated with 2006 Preakness winner Bernardini. Zenyatta was retired in November after 19 of 20 races.
Boxing
Mayweather court hearing delayed
A Las Vegas judge postponed an evidence hearing for Floyd Mayweather in a felony domestic violence case until April 28. The boxer is accused of hitting and threatening his ex-girlfriend, stealing her cell phone and threatening two of their children during an argument at the woman's home in September. He faces 34 years in prison. The case, for which a trial date hasn't been set, is separate from a misdemeanor battery charge alleging Mayweather poked a homeowners association security guard in the face during a November argument outside his home. That case is due for trial April 25.
Et cetera
Iditarod: Trent Herbst led after being the first to reach the checkpoint in the ghost town of Iditarod, about 534 miles into the 1,150-mile race in Alaska. But he had not completed a mandatory 24-hour rest.
Tennis: David Nalbandian is expected to miss two months after surgery for a torn muscle in his lower leg. He sustained the injury during a Davis Cup match March 4 and hopes to return by the French Open, which starts May 17.
Times wires