ARCADIA, Calif. - Jockey Gary Stevens was informed Wednesday that he has lost an appeal of a 20-day suspension issued by Italian stewards for failing to ride an unruly mount at Capannelle racecourse in Rome in May. Stevens vowed to fight the ruling, which may prevent him from riding for the first half of October.

Stevens's appeal was denied on Monday by Italian racing authorities, but the Hall of Fame jockey did not learn of their decision until early Wednesday. The suspension was to begin on Thursday and run through Oct. 19, a span that includes two weekends of lucrative prep races for the Breeders' Cup at Lone Star Park on Oct. 30 and the California Cup program at Santa Anita on Oct. 16. Stevens was also fined approximately $1,840.

Stevens has the mount on The Cliff's Edge in the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park on Saturday.

Stevens said on Wednesday that he plans to fight the ruling and was seeking legal advice. In addition, Stevens was hoping to enlist the support of France-Galop, the French racing authority.

"There is so much confusion," Stevens said.

On May 30, Stevens refused to ride Sopran Foldan in the Group 3 Premio Tudini after the horse was unruly on the way to the start. Stevens said Sopran Foldan was bleeding from the mouth before the start.

He asked that the horse be scratched, but was replaced by another rider. Sopran Foldan finished 14th of 16.

Later that day, Stevens was informed of the suspension, which he immediately appealed. At the time, Stevens said he was denied an interpreter at a hearing before Italian stewards.

"I thought he was unfit to ride," Stevens said on Wednesday. "My safety was at hand. I felt he shouldn't be running.

"This is like putting me in a car with a broken steering wheel and no brakes and telling me to go play on the freeway."

Stevens rode in France from late March until late August, and made occasional trips to other countries for major stakes.

In most cases, American racing officials have reciprocal agreements with foreign officials to honor suspensions. On Wednesday, the Santa Anita board of stewards said they were waiting for more information before deciding whether to uphold the suspension.

A decision from the stewards was expected on Thursday when entries were scheduled to be drawn in New York for Saturday's program.

"If they uphold the suspension in America, then we do have some issues," Stevens said.