West Virginia stewards have suspended jockey Yuri Yaranga from Sept. 4 through Oct. 1, encompassing 15 race days, for his actions in a race on Aug. 25 at Mountaineer Park in New Cumberland, W.V.
According to the ruling, “Mr. Yaranga rode carelessly causing his mount ‘Kim’s Money’ to interfere with and impeded the horse ‘Echo Vision,’ resulting in ‘Echo Vision’ clipping heels and unseating the jockey, resulting in a disqualification of ‘Kim’s Money.'”
Yaranga piloted Kim’s Money to a seven-length victory in the sixth race on Aug. 25, but was disqualified and placed fifth for the interference. The fallen horse, Echo Vision, galloped away after the incident and walked off the track under his own power, according to the Equibase chart.
The rider of the fallen horse, Kevin Gonzalez, appears to have escaped major injury, as he continues to ride at Mountaineer and Thistledown.
The incident appeared to occur about a sixteenth of a mile from the starting gate in the five-furlong contest for $4,000 claimers. Yaranga was positioned just to the outside of Gonzalez, and had an advantage of nearly a length.
Yaranga looked over his left shoulder at least three times before guiding his mount toward the rail, yet failed to allow proper clearance for Gonzalez’ mount, causing the latter to clip heels, stumble, and dislodge his rider.
Among the top eight leading riders at Mountaineer, Yaranga has won over 2,300 races in a career dating back to 2003. The jockey came under fire in 2024 for striking a rival horse in the fact with his whip, an incident that earned him a 10-day suspension (seven racing days).
According to West Virginia Racing Commission rules, Yaranga may gallop while suspended.
This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Sep 3, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Paulick Report as a Preferred Source by clicking here.