Stewards at Fairmount Park in Illinois have suspended a jockey for 60 days in connection with a July 23 race in which it was determined the rider did not put forth his best effort.
According to state steward Patrick Bovenzi, jockey John Lejune has been suspended as a result of the steward's investigation into the race in question. He said Lejune had not indicated if he will appeal the suspension.
"It was a failure to persevere with and put forth his best effort," Bovenzi said of the reasons for Lejune's suspension.
The stewards began the inquiry following the race, looking into whether other riders did not put forth their best efforts as a way to help 70-year-old R. A. "Cowboy" Jones win the race. It is believed Jones, who ended up finishing second with even-money favorite My Kentucky Breeze, would have been the first rider to win a Thoroughbred race in seven different decades.
Ola D., with Uriel Lopez aboard, won the race, with Lejune and Magnificent Mandy finishing third behind My Kentucky Breeze.
