Adam Beschizza, who was leading rider during the 2018 – 2019 Fair Grounds meet, has been suspended 15 days beginning Thursday, Jan. 30, by the Fair Grounds stewards.

The suspension resulted from Beschizza’s actions aboard Confederate Yell in the ninth race Jan. 24 at Fair Grounds. Entering the far turn of a two-turn dirt race for $5,000 Louisiana-bred conditioned claimers, Beschizza moved his mount from behind horses in the no. 2 path out to the no. 3 path while not clear of Miss You Jo, who clipped heels and fell, rolling over jockey Jack Gilligan. Gilligan subsequently was struck in the face when Ohmymy Ohmyyes, a trailing horse, hurdled Miss You Jo. Ohmymy Ohmyyes stayed on his feet (though he was pulled up) and jockey Mitchell Murrill kept his seat, but Shaun Bridgmohan’s mount, Jacobs Flyer, ran into Miss You Jo, sending Bridgmohan flying. Bridgmohan pulled his groin but Gilligan broke his collarbone and suffered several facial fractures. Confederate Yell was disqualified.

The stewards issued their ruling after conducting a hearing during the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 29, taking testimony from Beschizza but none of the other riders in the race. The hearing originally was scheduled for Jan. 30. State steward Roy Wood said the hearing was moved up so that Beschizza’s suspension would start before he could ride the Jan. 30 Fair Grounds card.

Beschizza has 28 winners this meet, tying him for fourth in the jockey standings.