Why Was Jockey Leon Suspended?

Jockey Sonny Leon was suspended 15 days by Churchill Downs’ board of stewards Oct. 2 for leaning in on his mount Rich Strike in the last sixteenth of a mile in the Lukas Classic Stakes (G2) and intentionally trying to interfere with rival Hot Rod Charlie and rider Tyler Gaffalione.

Why is Leon suspended?

In a ruling issued Sunday, the stewards determined that Leon was guilty of “intentionally attempting to interfere with and impede the progress of a rival by repeatedly making physical contact with another rider in the stretch.”

Why was the Kentucky Derby winning jockey suspended?

Leon was suspended last week by Ohio Stewards for careless riding during the third race on April 27 at Thistledown Racecourse, the Associated Press reported. Officials determined that he “deliberately and aggressively” steered One Glamorous Gal toward the rail to block other horses in the stretch.

Why was Rich Strike suspended?

Days after his career triumph, Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Sonny Leon is serving a suspension for careless riding. Leon rode 80-1 longshot Rich Strike to victory at Churchill Downs on Saturday after the horse was entered as a late replacement for a horse that was scratched.

How many times has Sonny Leon been suspended?

The four suspensions total 29 days. ARCI records are incomplete, but they show Leon has been sanctioned at least six times for careless riding in a career that includes 5,176 starts.

What happened to the jockey who rode Rich Strike?

But while Leon filed an objection, both jockeys were suspended and their mounts disqualified. Ultra Rays had crossed the finish line second; One Glamorous Gal third. Leon’s suspension was originally set at eight days but was reduced to four because he did not appeal.

Did Rich Strike get disqualified?

There won’t be any controversy over this year’s Kentucky Derby winner. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission announced that all post-race samples from the Kentucky Derby came back clear, including Rich Strike’s. The colt went from an also-eligible to the second biggest long shot to win the run for the roses.

What did Sonny Leon get paid for winning the Derby?

Jockey Sonny Leon gets a 10% cut — $186,000 — for his win. In his eight years of racing, the average earnings he’s made for a horse in a race is $2,561.

How much does the winning jockey make at the Kentucky Derby 2022?

a $186,000
2022 Kentucky Derby Prize Money
Meanwhile, the winning jockey who successfully crosses the finish line first will receive 10% of the winner’s purse — which equates to a $186,000 payday before taxes and other payments.

Why was Secretariat put down?

That’s what Barbaro is up against, and why his doctors say his prognosis is “poor.” No lesser horse than the great Secretariat, the 1973 Triple Crown winner, was felled by laminitis. He was euthanized because of it in 1989.

How much money does a horse jockey make?

Jockeys are some of the original “gig workers” because they work as independent contractors. Rather than earn a salary, a jockey receives a “mounting fee” — often $50-$110 — for each race, riding sometimes eight races per day.

Why was Rich Strike pulled from the Preakness?

The choice to skip the Preakness was made in the interest of rest and recovery for the horse, Dawson said. “Obviously, with our tremendous effort and win in the Derby it’s very, very tempting to alter our course & run in the Preakness at Pimlico, which would be a great honor for all our group,” Dawson said.

What nationality is jockey Sonny Leon?

Venezuelan
Sonny Leon is a Venezuelan jockey (born 1989 or 1990 in Aragua, Venezuela).

What is careless riding?

Careless riding is defined as “when a jockey fails to take reasonable and permissible measures to ensure that his mount is given a full opportunity to obtain the best possible placing in the field.” In other words, it’s when a jockey doesn’t ride his horse to the best of his ability.

How much did they claim Rich Strike for?

$30,000
In September 2021, horse trainer Eric Reed, on behalf of Richard Dawson’s RED-TR Racing, bought Rich Strike for $30,000 at a claiming race at Churchill Downs. Jockey Sonny Leon rode Rich Strike to his victory in the 148th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 7, 2022.

How much did Rich Strike get for winning?

$163.60
Rich Strike paid $163.60 to win, $74.20 to place and $29.40 to show. He ran the 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.61.

Who is the jockey for Rich Strike 2022?

Jockey Sonny Leon
Jockey Sonny Leon rode Rich Strike to the 148th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 7, 2022.

How much did Rich Strike win at the Kentucky Derby?

Rich Strike, who covered the mile and a quarter in 2 minutes 2.61 seconds, rewarded his believers with a whopping $163.60 on a $2 bet to win. It was the second-biggest upset in the race’s history, behind only Donerail in 1913 who paid $184.90.

What was wrong with Rich Strike?

The problem was Rich Strike didn’t like being in the middle of the track. The rail is his usual position in racing. When the field turned for home with eventual winner Mo Donegal in front by three lengths, Rich Strikenever threatened in his first start since the Derby. His owners skipped the Preakness.

How much did $100 pay on Rich Strike?

Conversation. Biggest Rich Strike bet in the sportsbook was $226 to win $22,600 Plus 10 $100 bets to profit $10,000.

Who is the richest jockey?

Meet Yutaka Take, the world’s richest jockey. A legend in Japan, Take, 52, enjoys ‘God’ status in his homeland and has a film star wife. His face is plastered on posters at racecourses, he’s been the ‘pin-up’ of racing for years and enjoys the same level of fame as pop stars.