Meche suspended after drug test

Jockey Lonnie Meche has been summarily suspended by the Texas Racing Commission because of a positive drug test, stewards at Sam Houston Race Park in Texas said Thursday. No official ruling will be handed down on the matter until Meche is given a hearing on Saturday morning. If suspended, Meche would be off his mounts on opening day of the Fair Grounds at Louisiana Downs season, and would miss precious time at a meet where he was expected to prosper.

Meche also tested positive for a banned drug last spring at Lone Star and served a 45-day suspension. He returned at the Louisiana Downs meet and won 59 races from 333 mounts. Last year he finished seventh in the Fair Grounds jockey standings.