There's a very little, very angry man in Philadelphia today after officials from the Philadelphia Park racetrack announced they were fining and suspending jockey Victor Molina. He drew the $1,000 penalty and 30 days off because he kicked a horse last Monday. Molina, a 27-year veteran of races at the track, was set to ride Yes Yes Ohyes when the colt freaked out in the starting gate and flipped him off his back. Molina found himself pinned under the restless colt and that's when he struck back in anger.
Once Yes Yes Ohyes was scratched from the race, Molina removed the saddle and kicked the colt's belly. Molina said the pain and threat of injury triggered his temper.
Molina and his agent are upset about the penalty because they say that jockeys striking horses is a regular occurance that results in a $250 fine. The race was being televised on TVG, though, and many viewers contacted the track to complain about Molina's behavior.
"I know there's been a lot of attention because it was on TV," Molina said. "I'm not trying to justify it. I shouldn't have done what I did. Did I hurt the horse? Did I try and hurt the horse? That's not what I did."
Adding injury to insult, Yes Yes Ohyes was gelded later last week. It doesn't appear to be related to Molina's bootwork.
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