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Derby-"Winning" Jockey Was Once Suspended for “Inflicting Visible Injuries on One of His Mounts”

From HorseracingWrongs.org
May 2022

Of the jockey’s methods, Jeff Perrin, Leon’s agent, says: “You do have to be aggressive to win."

Rich Strike

Again, it’s not even close to being the worst of it, but… Word comes that Sonny Leon, the “winning” jockey in the Derby, is currently serving a four-day suspension in Ohio for “careless riding” in an April 27 race at Thistledown.

Specifically, Leon “deliberately and aggressively steered [his horse] towards the rail to block on-coming horses.” This is Leon’s fifth suspension since September; the highlight of those: “inflicting visible injuries on one of his mounts through misuse of the whip” (Courier-Journal).

Of the jockey’s methods, Jeff Perrin, Leon’s agent, says: “You do have to be aggressive to win. I think there are judgment calls that people make, and I don’t want to comment on it too much for political reasons. But you have to be aggressive.”

“But you have to be aggressive.” Had enough yet, America?


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