Machado Suspended Three Race Days for Alcibiades Ride

Stewards in Kentucky have issued jockey Luan Machado a suspension of three race days for careless riding during the $650,000 Alcibiades Stakes (G1) Oct. 3 at Keeneland, which led to the disqualification of Percy's Bar. Machado was aboard the first-under-the-wire finisher, who was disqualified and placed second for veering out under left-handed urging and fouling Tommy Jo in midstretch. Stewards elevated Spendthrift Farm's Tommy Jo from second to first. Machado expressed disappointment with the disqualification Friday, feeling he was aboard the best horse. "I don't think it's fair, but it's how it is, I guess," he said. Hat Creek Racing's Percy's Bar held about a length's advantage at the time of the incident. After Tommy Jo was fouled, the latter swapped her leads and tired under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, finishing 2 3/4 lengths behind Percy's Bar. The Todd Pletcher-trained Tommy Jo, who had beaten Percy's Bar previously in the 7-furlong Spinaway Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, improved to 3-for-3 with her official victory. Percy's Bar is now 2-2-0 in four starts for trainer Ben Colebrook. Both fillies are expected to race next in the Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Del Mar. That race, like the Alcibiades, is at 1 1/16 miles on dirt. The steward's ruling suspending Machado, issued Oct. 5, states he is to serve his days beginning Oct. 12 and continuing Oct. 15-16.