Jockey Mychal Sanchez Suspended for Allegedly Betting Against Himself
Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. Pictured: Betting windows at Churchill Downs.
Jockey Mychel Sanchez has been suspended by the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission for 60 days after reports of him allegedly betting against his own horses.
Sanchez was preparing to ride at Laurel Park in Maryland on Friday when he was removed from his mounts after Maryland officials learned about his suspension.
According to the Paulick Report, the executive director of the Maryland Racing Commission, J. Michael Hopkins, was notified of the suspension by Pennsylvania officials and immediately removed Sanchez from his races.
The Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission has yet to officially release anything about the suspension.
When Hopkins was asked for specifics, he responded, "You can't bet against yourself."
Hopkins also told Paulick Report that the Maryland Racing Commission has put Sanchez under investigation and they will determine their own suspension.
Sanchez has been a prominent jockey at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pa., for years. He was the leading jockey in the standings at Parx in 2020 and tied for the lead during the 2019 season.
In 2021, he spent time at various racetracks including Gulfstream Park, Aqueduct, Laurel Park and Monmouth Park. He has been a top-10 rider at Laurel, Parx and Monmouth.
Sanchez was expected to ride in three races Friday at Laurel Park, but his first two were scratched and he was removed from his third and final mount.
He rode at Parx on Wednesday and won three of his six races. It's unclear whether Sanchez was under investigation at that time or if the suspension stemmed from that day.
This story will be updated as additional details emerge.
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