Leading Los Alamitos Jockey Is Arrested

Jerry Yoakum, leading rider at the winter quarter horse meeting at Los Alamitos, was arrested on misdemeanor charges of possessing a controlled substance at the track Saturday night.

Yoakum, 21, of Bandera, Tex., was one of three riders searched after the 10th race. After a slight delay, the three were allowed to ride. After the race, Yoakum was taken off his remaining four mounts, including Holland Ease in the $75,000 Horsemen’s Quarter Horse Racing Assn. Championship Handicap, after California Horse Racing Board investigators searched his locker and found a controlled substance and an electrical device, a so-called “buzzer,” in his jacket.

Authorities said Yoakum claimed the controlled substance, thought to be methamphetamines, was for dieting. Cypress police said that he was arrested at the track and released Sunday morning, pending a hearing.

Racing board officials said a hearing on the alleged possession of a buzzer, which is used to shock a horse into running faster, will be held later this month.

Yoakum rode 36 winners at the meeting, which ended Saturday night.