Mahoning Valley Jockey Suspended For Failing 'To Use His Utmost Exertion' In March 25 Race

Jockey Eric Barbaran – voted national  Jockey of the Week in North American March 20 – has been suspended 15 days for his ride aboard Marion Gorham's Lucky Streak in the sixth race March 25 at Mahoning Valley Race Course in Youngstown, Ohio.

According to the Ohio State Racing Commission ruling, Barbaran "failed to use his utmost exertion to obtain a winning performance causing #4 Lucky Streak a chance at a better placing which could have affected the mutuel payout."

Lucky Streak, a 6-year-old Ohio-bred gelding by Itsmyluckyday in quest of his sixth lifetime win, was sent off at odds of 11-1 in the six-furlong allowance race. Fifth early, Lucky Streak split horses at the top of the stretch, and engaged with eventual winner G T Three Fifty with a furlong remaining under right- and left-handed encouragement from Barbaran. 

In the final sixteenth of a mile, Barbaran appeared to ease up on his mount, who was passed by two other horses, Moester and Mutual Confidence, the second and third betting choices, respectively. Lucky Streak wound up fourth, beaten three-quarters of a length for third. The Equibase footnotes state: "Lucky Streak was bumped at the start, never far back, loomed boldly three wide at the top of the stretch then was outfinished."

Barbaran is a 32-year-old native of Peru who came to the U.S. in 2011. Starting first at now defunct Suffolk Downs in Massachusetts (where he led the jockey standings in 2018). Barbaran now rides in Ohio year-round.  He is currently third in the Mahoning Valley jockey standings by wins. His Jockey of the Week honors, voted on by a panel of racing experts, was based on winning with 10 of his 18 mounts during the week ending March 17.

The suspension was originally set to run 30 days, but stewards reduced the ban to 15 days after Barbaran accepted the penalty and opted not to appeal. The suspension will run from April 22 through May 6. The Mahoning Valley meet ends April 13 and JACK Thistledown is scheduled to open April 22.