Jockeys' Guild slams lawsuit against Machado, will help defense

The Jockeys' Guild issued a statement Friday criticizing the lawsuit filed against Luan Machado for easing up on his mount during a race at Churchill Downs in November.

The lawsuit was filed in Jefferson Circuit Court in Louisville, Ky., by Gray V Train Racing, owner of Hold My Bourbon, and Westbrook Stables, breeder of the now 4-year-old ridgling. They seek damages for claims of breach of contract and negligence. Read more here.

"The claims asserted against Mr. Machado in the lawsuit are utterly baseless," the Jockeys' Guild said in its statement. "They are also dangerous.

"The Kentucky legislature has entrusted the stewards of the Kentucky Horse Racing & Gaming Corporation with responsibility for determining if there has been a violation of the racing rules. The stewards made such a determination here and imposed a fine and suspension on Mr. Machado, which he paid and has served.

"There is absolutely no basis for private parties to try to undermine the stewards’ statutorily entrusted decision by supplanting it with their own judgment as to what the appropriate penalty should be.

"The Guild stands ready to vigorously assist Mr. Machado in defending against this frivolous suit."