Photo: Silas Walker/Lexington Herald-Leader/Tribune News Service/Getty
Leon’s original eight-day suspension in Ohio, which began Monday, was reduced to four days because he did not appeal, the AP reported.
Perrin told AP that Leon is scheduled to return Friday with six mounts at Belterra Park in Cincinnati and additional weekend rides at Churchill Downs in Louisville among many requests following the victory in Kentucky.
Leon has also been suspended two additional times recently. In one case, he was given a 15-day suspension, which he is appealing, after providing false and altered documents from a physical examination to West Virginia stewards. On another occasion, Leon was reprimanded for inflicting visible injuries on one of his horses through misuse of the whip, according to theCourier Journal.
The AP had reported that Leon’s agent, Jeff Perrin, said the most recent suspension wouldn’t prevent him from riding Rich Strike in next week’s Preakness Stakes, the second race in the coveted Triple Crown. But on Thursday afternoon,ESPNconfirmed that the horse would not be taking part in the May 21 race.
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With 80-1 odds, Rich Strike was the longest shot in the competition at Churchill Downs on Saturday, even more so because the horse only made the list once Ethereal Road was scratched from competition. Leon and Rich Strike took home the first place title and $1.86 million at Churchill Downs on Saturday.
Jeff Perrin and Rich Strike’s trainer, Eric Reed, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Leon’s suspension.
source: people.com
