The Ohio State Racing Commission has confirmed that jockey Albin Jimenez filed an appeal of the one-year suspension handed down by stewards at Belterra Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, for Jimenez’ actions in a race on Aug. 21. 

By law, the state of Ohio enforces a mandatory stay of any penalty when a decision is appealed. Thus, although Jimenez hasn’t ridden since Aug. 22, the jockey has now been named to ride one horse on Sept. 5 at Horseshoe Indianapolis in Shelbyville, Ind.

The stewards’ decision was based on Jimenez’ ride aboard Afleet Vintage in the second race on Aug. 21. Afleet Vintage was the 1-5 favorite in the $5,000 claiming race for non-winners of two, off the strength of his 15-length win in a $5,000 maiden claiming race, also under Jimenez, on July 23.

Jimenez, the runaway leading rider at the Belterra meet, appeared to rush the horse up to the lead into the first turn, then eased him back to mid-pack, then to last around the far turn, before engaging in a late rally that saw the horse finish second by three lengths.

The winner, Permit to Carry, was ridden by apprentice Summer Pauly, with whom Jimenez has a child.

The trainer of the beaten favorite, Tommy Drury, Jr., told Horse Racing Nation that he immediately asked Belterra stewards to review the race. The initial stewards’ ruling offered to reduce Jimenez’ suspension to six months if the jockey did not file an appeal.

This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Sep 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Paulick Report as a Preferred Source by clicking here.