Sonny Leon suspended 15 days for Lukas Classic ride

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Jockey Sonny Leon has been suspended 15 days by the Churchill Downs stewards for an incident in deep stretch of the Grade 2 Lukas Classic on Saturday.

Leon, aboard 2022 Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike for trainer Eric Reed, told Reed after the Lukas Classic that his saddle slipped with about 70 yards to go in the 1 1/8-mile race, causing him to lose his balance and to suddenly veer inward toward Hot Rod Charlie, making repeated contact as the horses dueled to the wire. Rich Strike, racing farthest outside, had held a short lead in the final furlong, but Hot Rod Charlie re-rallied to prevail by a short head.

Leon, currently a regular rider at Gulfstream Park in South Florida, will serve the days starting Sunday (Oct. 9) through Oct. 29 before returning to action Oct. 30. He will not appeal the days, said his agent, Bryce Soth.

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match and FREE Formulator PPs! Join DRF Bets.

Soth said he was informed by Barbara Borden, chief steward in Kentucky, that the penalty is a lengthy one because of the “egregious nature” of the incident. The head-on replay and photos from various sources suggest Leon’s claim of losing his balance because his saddle slipped may have been valid, although Soth said it was not brought up during a phone conference with the stewards.

Borden declined comment when contacted Monday. There was no posted inquiry into the Lukas Classic, although it can be safely assumed there would have been if Rich Strike had won.

Leon, a 32-year-old Venezuela native, was the winning rider when Rich Strike captured the May 7 Derby at 80-1, making the colt the second-longest priced winner in the race’s 148-year history.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.