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Report: One-Two Jockeys in Travers Facing Whip-Use Violations

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Jockeys Manny Franco and Johnny Velazquez are reportedly facing whip-use violations related to their respective rides aboard the first- and second-place finishers in the Aug. 29 GI Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

David Grening of Daily Racing Form reported the news on Sunday, citing New York Racing Association steward Victor Escobar as a source.

The violations had not been posted to the HISA online portal as of 5 p.m. Monday.

Grening reported that Franco was cited for being one whip strike over the six-strike limit in his winning ride aboard ‘TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard,’ Leading Change (Gun Runner), while Velazquez was cited for being two strikes over the limit aboard runner-up Napoleon Solo (Liam’s Map).

Grening wrote that, “Both are viewed as Class 3 violations, which constitute a one-day suspension and a fine of $1,000, or 10% of the jockey’s gross purse earnings from the race. In the case of the Travers, Franco earned $68,750, which means his fine would be $6,875. Velazquez earned $12,500, which means his fine would be $1,250.”

Grening reported that both riders have the opportunity to appeal their penalties.

The post Report: One-Two Jockeys in Travers Facing Whip-Use Violations appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Herrera, Joseph Jr. Enjoy Royal Palm Meeting Titles

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Jockey Diego Herrera and trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. closed their 2026 Royal Palm meeting at Gulfstream Park with respective titles in their categories, the track announced Monday.

Herrera was riding his first full meet outside Southern California, and claimed the edge over Samy Camacho at 88-82 in his favor during the Royal Palm Meet. The 22-year-old decided to move tack after the Jan. 24 GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational and made it to Gulfstream in time for the tail end of the 2025-26 Championship meeting. The Royal Palm got underway Apr. 2, and Herrera and Camacho were locked in a tight battle for the top spot in the jockey standings right up until the final weekend.

“I’m very blessed and fortunate to be in this position. My agent [Kevin Meyocks] has done a tremendous job. He gave me a call toward the end of March and I took a leap of faith and trusted in him,” Herrera said after guiding Bail Us Out to victory in Monday’s Race 5 to collect his 100th overall win of the year. “I can’t thank the owners, trainers, grooms, and all the people that work hard every day in the morning enough. I’m so pleased to be in this position.”

Herrera enjoyed 30 multi-win days and 16 consecutive racing days with at least one win during the Royal Palm Meet. He is expected to continue his success during the Sunshine Meet that gets underway Friday, Sept. 4 and, farther down the road, the 2026-2027 Championship Meet that opens Thanksgiving Day.

On the trainer side, Saffie Joseph Jr. maintained his strangle-hold on the training division as he coasted to his 16th consecutive meet title at Gulfstream with 46 wins to his name. Trainer Victor Barboza Jr. claimed second with 37 victories.

The post Herrera, Joseph Jr. Enjoy Royal Palm Meeting Titles appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Report: One-Two Jockeys in Travers Facing Whip-Use Violations

---

Jockeys Manny Franco and Johnny Velazquez are reportedly facing whip-use violations related to their respective rides aboard the first- and second-place finishers in the Aug. 29 GI Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

David Grening of Daily Racing Form reported the news on Sunday, citing New York Racing Association steward Victor Escobar as a source.

The violations had not been posted to the HISA online portal as of 5 p.m. Monday.

Grening reported that Franco was cited for being one whip strike over the six-strike limit in his winning ride aboard ‘TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard,’ Leading Change (Gun Runner), while Velazquez was cited for being two strikes over the limit aboard runner-up Napoleon Solo (Liam’s Map).

Grening wrote that, “Both are viewed as Class 3 violations, which constitute a one-day suspension and a fine of $1,000, or 10% of the jockey’s gross purse earnings from the race. In the case of the Travers, Franco earned $68,750, which means his fine would be $6,875. Velazquez earned $12,500, which means his fine would be $1,250.”

Grening reported that both riders have the opportunity to appeal their penalties.

The post Report: One-Two Jockeys in Travers Facing Whip-Use Violations appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Herrera, Joseph Jr. Enjoy Royal Palm Meeting Titles

---

Jockey Diego Herrera and trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. closed their 2026 Royal Palm meeting at Gulfstream Park with respective titles in their categories, the track announced Monday.

Herrera was riding his first full meet outside Southern California, and claimed the edge over Samy Camacho at 88-82 in his favor during the Royal Palm Meet. The 22-year-old decided to move tack after the Jan. 24 GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational and made it to Gulfstream in time for the tail end of the 2025-26 Championship meeting. The Royal Palm got underway Apr. 2, and Herrera and Camacho were locked in a tight battle for the top spot in the jockey standings right up until the final weekend.

“I’m very blessed and fortunate to be in this position. My agent [Kevin Meyocks] has done a tremendous job. He gave me a call toward the end of March and I took a leap of faith and trusted in him,” Herrera said after guiding Bail Us Out to victory in Monday’s Race 5 to collect his 100th overall win of the year. “I can’t thank the owners, trainers, grooms, and all the people that work hard every day in the morning enough. I’m so pleased to be in this position.”

Herrera enjoyed 30 multi-win days and 16 consecutive racing days with at least one win during the Royal Palm Meet. He is expected to continue his success during the Sunshine Meet that gets underway Friday, Sept. 4 and, farther down the road, the 2026-2027 Championship Meet that opens Thanksgiving Day.

On the trainer side, Saffie Joseph Jr. maintained his strangle-hold on the training division as he coasted to his 16th consecutive meet title at Gulfstream with 46 wins to his name. Trainer Victor Barboza Jr. claimed second with 37 victories.

The post Herrera, Joseph Jr. Enjoy Royal Palm Meeting Titles appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.