Kinchen suspended from National Horseplayers Championship Tour for at least two years
Jonathon Kinchen, the television racing personality and public handicapper, will be suspended from competing in any event on the National Horseplayers Championship Tour and its season-ending tournament for at least the next two years, the administrator of the tour announced on Tuesday.
Kinchen, who frequently competes in handicapping tournaments, was disqualified from the National Horseplayers Championship two weekends ago after he violated a rule requiring contestants to be on-site at the location where the competition is held. Kinchen admitted to registering for the tournament in Las Vegas but then flying to Florida, where he communicated his picks to a person at the casino who placed the bets for him.
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, which administers the tour, said that it decided to levy the two-year suspension after the penalty was recommended by the NHC Players’ Committee, a group of tournament players who act as a “sounding board” for policies and rules.
The NTRA added that Kinchen “may request to the NTRA to be reinstated to the NHC Tour” after the 2024 championship.
“Maintaining the integrity of the NHC is of the utmost importance,” said Tom Rooney, the NTRA’s president and chief executive officer.
The National Horseplayers Championship, typically held in late January or early February, is the richest tournament of its kind in the world. The NHC Tour is a series of qualifying events sponsored by North American racetracks and racing companies throughout the preceding year.
Kinchen is a well-known personality among handicappers and horseplayers. He is a frequent contributor to a live-racing broadcast produced by the New York Racing Association that airs on Fox Sports.
Tony Allevato, the chief revenue officer of NYRA and the president of its account-wagering operation, said that Kinchen will remain on the broadcast team.
“Jonathon Kinchen is an ambassador for horse racing who provides an important perspective on the sport,” Allevato said. “Jonathon remains a valued member of the NYRA television team.”