Sonny León, the Venezuelan jockey who led Rich Strike to an upset victory in the Kentucky Derby, is currently serving a four-day suspension at an Ohio racetrack that his agent says will not prevent him from getting in the saddle of the horse in the Preakness next year. week.
Leon was suspended by Thistledown Racecourse stewards last week for reckless driving in the third race on the April 27 schedule, in which he “deliberately and aggressively” drove One Glamorous Gal over the rail to try to stop the others from passing. horses in the final stretch.
León hindered jockey Alexander Chávez on Ultra Rays, according to the ruling. One Glamorous Gal was disqualified, going from third to sixth place.
It was Leon’s fifth suspension since last fall, including a 15-day ban in West Virginia for presenting a false and tampered with document. León’s initial eight-day suspension in Ohio was reduced because he did not appeal; she started purging it on Monday and it’s due on Thursday.
The Courier Journal in Louisville was the first to report on León’s current suspension.
Ohio’s suspension is in effect in all states, but agent Jeff Perrin told The Associated Press on Wednesday that it will not prevent the Venezuelan from competing.
Perrin added that Leon is due to reappear on Friday with six mounts at Belterra Park in Cincinnati and another race this weekend at Churchill Downs in Louisville after receiving numerous offers following his shock victory.
Leon’s future includes another ride with Rich Strike in the Preakness on May 21, if the horse is entered, according to Perrin. Trainer Eric Reed did not respond to AP inquiries.
“Our job is to go where they need us, but we don’t make those decisions,” Perrin said, comparing the stewards’ decision to a technical foul in basketball.
Going 80-1 going into the race, Rich Strike edged out favorite Epicenter by three-quarters of a length after being entered last minute on Friday to finish 20th, at the end of the cat flap.
Rich Strike paid $163.60 for first place. Only Donerail in 1913 had higher pay, at $184.90.