Santana Jr. is serving a week-long sentence for drunk driving

Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. has pleaded guilty to two counts of driving under the influence in Kentucky and is currently serving a one-week sentence at the Shelby County Detention Center with work release provisions.

According to online court records, both crimes occurred in Shelby County, the first on November 19, 2023, Santana’s birthday, and the second on October 27, 2024. Both guilty pleas were entered in Shelby County Court on November 19 and Santana on November 32, reported to jail the following day.

“He is young and made a mistake. That’s on him and we want to move forward and address any licensing issues he may have in any jurisdiction,” said Ruben Munoz, Santana’s agent. “He doesn’t have a drug problem. He may have a drinking problem that he is addressing. He has been sober for (about a month) and wants to move on with his life and the bright future that awaits him, and I trust that. “That’s entirely possible as long as he stays on the right path.”

Kentucky law imposes stricter penalties for second and subsequent driving under the influence. However, because Santana was not convicted of the first charge when he committed the second offense, he was allowed to plead guilty to the first offense of driving under the influence on both counts.

Santana was sentenced to four days in jail for the offense in 2023. An online record does not indicate whether the jail sentence imposed for the second offense was three or four days. In each case, Santana was fined $200 and ordered to pay $578 in court costs and had his driver’s license revoked for six months.

Santana was also charged with reckless driving in the 2023 case and leaving the scene of an accident in 2024. That charge was dismissed pursuant to plea agreements.

Each violation occurred on Interstate 64 at 12:04 a.m. ET, or 2:16 a.m. Police reports said Santana drove recklessly in the first case and side-swiped another vehicle in the second case. In each case, the arresting officer concluded that Santana failed field sobriety tests before being taken into custody.

A police report shows Santana’s blood alcohol test result in a breathalyzer test in the 2023 case was more than three times the level that creates a legal presumption of guilt in Kentucky. According to a second report, Santana refused to submit to a breathalyzer test in the 2024 case.

Santana last sailed on November 17th Churchill Downs and was replaced last week by other jockeys with scheduled appearances.

In a Nov. 22 statement, the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission, which regulates racing in the state, said: “Stewards are aware of the situation surrounding jockey Ricardo Santana Jr Churchill Downs on November 17, 2024, after passing the alcohol test. A Stewards hearing has not been scheduled at this time and no judgment has been issued. KHRGC stewards are in contact with Mr. Santana’s representatives and are closely monitoring the situation. After a thorough review, the stewards will decide when Mr. Santana will be allowed to drive.”

Mike Ziegler, senior vice president and general manager at Churchill Downs, said he would consult with other track managers and stewards to assess the latest circumstances surrounding Santana.

Churchill Downs has previously used its private ownership rights to bar individuals from competing at the Louisville, Kentucky track or other tracks owned by Churchill Downs Inc. The most notable of these was when CDI suspended Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert for more than 50 years three years after Medina Spirit tested positive for a banned drug on race day after the colt finished first over the 2021 Kentucky Derby (G1). border went.

Jockeys Francisco Torres and Tracy Hebert, both of whom have suffered from drug abuse in the past, were also banned from racing at Churchill for a time in the 2000s after the track took action.

Some local governments and state regulatory agencies require individuals with histories of substance abuse to undergo counseling with treatment programs as a condition of licensure.

Santana has been riding since 2009 and has 1,966 career victories and earnings of $129,364,092. He has 81 wins this year, with his mounts earning $8,068,227.

His best years were 2019 with 190 wins and 2021 with earnings of $16.8 million.

He has won two Breeders’ Cup races, including the 2020 Juvenile Turf (G1T). Fire at will and the Sprint 2019 (G1) with Mitole . He came second four times at the World Championships.

An eight-time leader at Oaklawn Parkmost recently in 2021, Santana is scheduled for one ride on November 27th, two on November 29th and three on November 30th, all at Churchill Downs.

“There’s no reason why he shouldn’t drive,” Munoz said. “He has no outstanding judgments against him in any racing jurisdiction. Why can’t he drive?”