Da Silva Fined, Suspended For Post-Race Incident

As reported by Canadian Thoroughbred editor Jennifer Morrison on her Thoroughblog, Woodbine's leading rider in 2010, Eurico Rosa Da Silva, has been suspended for three racing days (Friday, April 15th through Sunday, April 17th) and fined $1,000 by Woodbine's stewards for an on-track incident. The incident occurred after the Star Shoot Stakes on Saturday, where Da Silva and his mount Miss Inclined bumped with Luis Contreras and his mount Caribbean Lady in the stretch run. According to the report, at least one steward saw Da Silva strike Contreras on the gallop out, prompting the suspension.



Da Silva was most likely angry with Contreras based on what happened the in stretch run of the race. As Da Silva and Miss Inclined tried to split horses to make a move towards the lead, Contreras continued to hit a tiring Caribbean Lady with his left hand, causing Caribbean Lady to drift into the path of Miss Inclined. When Miss Inclined ran out of room, the two horses bumped slightly, but enough to cause Miss Inclined to lose all momentum and a shot at winning the race. Notice how during the gallop out on the video below, Contreras and Da Silva are riding side by side as they move into the view of the camera. The "strike" must have occurred just before the video picks up the two riders.



Da Silva has struggled to find the winner's circle early on in the 2011 meet, winning just two races in 31 starts (6%). Da Silva does, however, has nine second place finishes, so even though he hasn't been crossing the line first, he has been close on a number of occasions early on in the meet. His in-the-money percentage is 42%.

The suspension of Da Silva will give other riders, most notably Contreras, the opportunity to really separate themselves from the leading rider in 2010. Contreras currently leads Da Silva by five wins and is getting plenty of opportunities to win races. Contreras has started 33 races so far in 2011, two more than Da Silva who has started in 31. If Contreras can win a few races this weekend with Da Silva on the sidelines, it could go a long way in helping Contreras knock off the defending Sovereign Award winner and capture his first Woodbine riding title.

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