Jockey Fight at Philadelphia Park – Exclusive All Access Footage
Jockey Eriluis Vaz, along with fellow rider Ademar Santos the two riders involved in a mounted fight during Philadelphia Park’s fifth race Jan. 8, has issued a public apology for what he terms “bad judgment” as he awaits a hearing before the stewards.
“I would like to…say how sorry I really am for the incident that happened between myself and Mr. Santos,” Vaz wrote in a statement that was issued to the horse racing television network TVG. “I made a terrible mistake reacting the way I did during the race the other day.”
Santos stated Vaz had veered toward him three times before the rage began.
“I asked, ‘Man, why you go like that?’ ” Santos stated. “Then he hit me in the face . . . in the mouth.”
Santos said he “reflexed,” but admitted that he did not connect with his punch. The video replay shows that,, Vaz responded by whipping Santos across the upper back.
Lou Albertrani, the agent for Vaz, said he couldn’t comment because he hadn’t yet seen the race and hadn’t talked to Vaz.
Vaz made the statement; “I made a mistake, one that I will regret the rest of my life, I used bad judgment and should have handled the situation differently. I apologize to everyone for my actions, and hope that I will be forgiven by all the owners and trainers that I am privileged to ride for…also my fellow riders, and the betting public who back me day after day…I am heartfully (sic) sorry.”
Mi Helena was not disqualified, but John Scanlan, the horse’s trainer, wasn’t forgiving his jockey, Santos. The trainer was beside himself.
“He’s fired forever riding for me,” Scanlan said of Santos. “I’ve been in this game for 50 years. I’ve only seen this once before, on a film.”
“There were 11 horses in the race, and several of other horses were getting moved around because of it,” Scanlan said. “We were lucky there wasn’t a spill. They should get a penalty and get it big.”
It is not clear what caused the fight to begin. The horses were in close proximity but hadn’t collided, when Vaz steered his horse over and punched Santos.
A steward, who was not identified, confirmed the basic events of the race – “they were engaging in blows” – and said a hearing would be scheduled. It wouldn’t take place for at least 10 days.
Santos said he would be attending the morning’s weekly meeting the stewards hold with Philadelphia Park’s jockeys, at which the previous week’s races are replayed.
Scanlan said he told Santos: “You should have taken it upstairs in the jocks’ room. That’s the way it’s always been.”
The jockeys will go before the Philadelphia Park stewards at 10 a.m. Jan. 21.
