Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. has pleaded guilty to two charges of driving under the influence of alcohol in Kentucky and is currently serving a week-long prison sentence at the Shelby County Detention Center with work release provisions.
According to online court records, both offenses occurred in Shelby County with the first Nov. 19, 2023, Santana's birthday, and the second Oct. 27, 2024. Both guilty pleas were entered Nov. 19 in Shelby District Court, and Santana, 32, reported to prison the following day.
"He's young and made a mistake. It's past him, and we are looking to go forward and comply with any licensing issues he may have in any jurisdiction," said Ruben Munoz, Santana's agent. "He doesn't have a drug problem. He may have an alcohol problem issue he is addressing. He has been sober for (about a month) and he's looking to continue his life and a bright future that awaits him, and I trust that that is very possible as long as he stays on the right path."
Kentucky law provides for enhanced penalties on second and subsequent DUI offenses, but because Santana was not convicted of the first charge when he committed the second offense, he was allowed to plead guilty to first offense DUI in both cases.
Santana was sentenced to four days of jail time for the 2023 offense. An online record is unclear whether the amount of jail time meted out for the second offense was three or four days. In each case, Santana was fined $200 and ordered to pay court costs of $578, and his driver's license was suspended six months.
Santana was also charged with reckless driving in the 2023 case and leaving the scene of an accident in 2024. Those charges were dismissed pursuant to plea agreements.
Each offense occurred on Interstate 64 at 12:04 a.m. ET and 2:16 a.m., respectively. Police reports allege Santana was driving recklessly in the first incident, and sideswiped another vehicle in the second case. In each matter, the arresting officer concluded Santana failed field sobriety tests before he was taken into custody.
A police report shows Santana's blood alcohol result from a breathalyzer test in the 2023 case was over three times the level arising to a legal presumption of guilt in Kentucky. A second report shows Santana declined to submit to breathalyzer testing in the 2024 case.
Santana last rode Nov. 17 at Churchill Downs and has been replaced by other jockeys with scheduled mounts over the past week.
In a Nov. 22 statement, the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission, which regulates racing in the state, said, "Stewards are aware of the situation involving jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. Mr. Santana is off his mounts this week and last rode at Churchill Downs on November 17, 2024, after passing a breathalyzer test. A stewards' hearing has not been scheduled nor has a ruling been issued at this time. The KHRGC stewards are in communication with Mr. Santana's representatives and are monitoring the situation closely. After a thorough review, the stewards will determine when Mr. Santana will be permitted to ride."
Mike Ziegler, senior vice president and general manager at Churchill Downs, said he would consult with other track management and stewards to assess the latest circumstances involving Santana.
Churchill Downs has previously exercised its private property rights to suspend individuals from competition at the Louisville, Ky., track, or other tracks owned by Churchill Downs Inc. The most notable of these was when CDI suspended Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert for more than three years after Medina Spirit tested positive for a prohibited race day medication after the colt crossed the wire first in the 2021 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Jockeys Francisco Torres and Tracy Hebert, both of whom had a history of substance abuse, were also not allowed to ride at Churchill for a period in the 2000s, following action taken by the track.
Some stewards and state regulators require individuals with a history of substance abuse to submit to counseling with treatment programs as a condition for licensing.
Santana has been riding since 2009 and has 1,966 career wins and earnings of $129,364,092. He has 81 wins this year with his mounts earning $8,068,227.
His best years were 2019, with 190 wins, and 2021, with earnings of $16.8 million.
He has won two Breeders' Cup races, the 2020 Juvenile Turf (G1T) with Fire At Will and the 2019 Sprint (G1) with Mitole . He was second four times at the World Championships.
An eight-time leading rider at Oaklawn Park, most recently in 2021, Santana is scheduled for one ride Nov. 27, two Nov. 29, and three Nov. 30, all at Churchill Downs.
"There's no reason why he shouldn't be able to ride," Munoz said. "He has no outstanding judgments against him in any racing jurisdiction. Why can't he ride?"
