Jockey David Cohen, who won the riding title last year at Oaklawn, will have his first mounts at the upcoming meet on Sunday, said his agent, Bill Castle. The season starts Friday.  

Cohen is serving a two-day suspension for a riding infraction from the 2019 meet at Oaklawn. He had appealed the ruling and the suspension was reduced from three to two days in action the Arkansas Racing Commission took on the closing day of last year’s meet.

Cohen said Monday that a rule in Arkansas requires Oaklawn days to be served at Oaklawn. As such, he is serving the two days over the first two race dates of this year’s meet, on Friday and Saturday. 

 Cohen has been working horses in Hot Springs, Ark., since late December in preparation for defense of his title.

"From an agent standpoint, I'd love to see him defend his title," Castle said. "It was an absolute honor to win the title. The only way it happens is with the support of everybody. You need the support of owners and trainers, everybody on the backside." 

Entries for the Sunday card will be taken on Tuesday.