Jockey Joe Patin Jr. was taken off the Evangeline Downs grounds in handcuffs Friday night after an altercation with fellow rider Diego Saenz following the evening’s seventh race.
Patin was disqualified from first to fourth in the race while on board El Woodrow after the Evangeline board of stewards ruled that he impeded Saenz when angling out in the stretch. Saenz’s mount, 6-5 favorite Salty Lydgate, clipped heels and stumbled as a result and eventually crossed the wire in fourth.
"Patin confronted Saenz just outside the jockeys quarters after the race," Louisiana state steward Brook Hawkins said. "He was handcuffed by the State Police and taken into custody."
Saenz took off the remainder of his mounts after the incident, reportedly suffering a contusion to his right eye and bruising on his right cheek. The two-time defending riding champ is once again atop the jockey standings while Patin is currently ranked third.
