Kentucky Stewards Again Sanction Jockey Machado

For the second time this autumn, the Kentucky stewards have sanctioned jockey Luan Machado for failing to compete to the wire. In an order issued Nov. 30, Machado was sanctioned for his ride aboard Gray V Train Racing's Hold My Bourbon in the 10th race Nov. 28 at Churchill Downs. As a second offense, Machado was suspended four days—Dec. 7, 11, 12, and 13—and fined $1,000. Hold My Bourbon had opened a 2 1/2-length lead in the stretch but was edged late by Lightline, who prevailed by a neck under Flavien Prat in the one-mile dirt race, an allowance event for 3-year-olds and older. The latest sanction comes on the heels of the eighth race Oct. 16 at Keeneland, where Machado was aboard Ultimate Strike with a 5 1/2-length lead with a furlong to go when he misjudged the finish and stopped riding. Ultimate Strike finished second and the jockey error resulted in a fine and three-day suspension for Machado. Ultimate Strike won his next start, a maiden claiming race Nov. 14 at Churchill Downs with Florent Geroux up. Overall this year Machado is enjoying his most successful season as a rider, with a 146-128-122 mark from 963 starts and purse earnings of more than $9.68 million. Riding since 2018, Machado's mounts have earned nearly $22.1 million and the rider boasts eight graded stakes wins in his career, including five on Next.