Martin Pedroza – festive spirited punch
North American jockey Martin Pedroza took direct action at being removed from riding a horse trained by Richard Baltas.
Pedroza confronted Baltas at Los Alamitos racecourse last Sunday and a scuffle ensued. Pedroza had been replaced by Rafael Bejarano on Armensky in a maiden claimer event.
Baltas told NBC sports he was aware of a problem before his horse finished fourth.
“Martin told me and (Rafael) Bejarano he was going to take my horse out of the race,” Baltas said.
“The stewards were warned about it. After the fifth race, Pedroza told me that was going to ‘f— with me all year long’ and after the seventh, I was minding my own business, when he came up to me and started cussing me out, then he bumped me in the chest and I put him in a headlock before security came.
“But before they did, he hit me in the face with his helmet and cut my nose.
“I’m not a confrontational guy but I am competitive and I was upset. I’m thinking of taking out a restraining order against him and my owners are filing a complaint.”
