Jockey Luan Machado has been suspended three racing days and fined $2,500 by Kentucky Horse Racing Commission stewards for misjudging the finish line in Wednesday’s eighth race at Keeneland – which utilizes two finish lines – costing his mount, Ultimate Strike, a virtually certain win. In the ruling, posted to the KHRC website Friday, the board of stewards ruled that Machado’s “error in judgment . . . resulted in the horse not obtaining his best placing.” Machado's suspension is to be served Oct. 27, 30, and 31, the first three days of the Churchill Downs fall meet. Depending on the distance of its races, Keeneland uses two finish lines. Races at 1 1/16 miles on the main track end at the first finish line, at the sixteenth pole, allowing the starting gate to be positioned for a better run into the first turn. When the first finish line is utilized, a red stop sign is used to mark it. Races at 1 1/8 miles on the main track end at the regular finish line. In Wednesday’s eighth and final race, a 1 1/8-mile maiden-claiming race, Machado was aboard Ultimate Strike, who was sent off at 13-1, for trainer Carlos Santamaria. The gelding had a clear lead in upper stretch, with Machado mainly vigorously hand-urging him but also giving him a few right-handed reminders with the whip. Track announcer Kurt Becker called Ultimate Strike five lengths in front approaching the sixteenth pole. At that point, Machado appeared to take a peek under his arm for challengers. The closest was Gotta Have Dreams, who had worked his way to second under James Graham after being last of 12 following the opening half-mile, and who was still attempting a bid while wide. Passing the sixteenth pole, Machado stood in his irons and stopped hand-urging. Ultimate Strike followed the cues by easing off his gallop and shortening stride. :: Play Keeneland with the most trusted information in horse racing! All Access Past Performances, Picks, Betting Strategies and more. Becker appeared thrown by what was unfolding, pausing his race call before resuming narration of Gotta Have Dreams’s bid. The latter continued his run under a still-riding Graham and nailed Ultimate Strike on the wire, with Machado looking over as Gotta Have Dreams came alongside at the wire. It was 10 lengths back to the third-place finisher. Gotta Have Dreams, who was sent away at 19-1 for trainer Aaron Shorter, earned $27,156 for the victory. The runner-up finish was worth $8,760. Not only was there a notable difference in odds between the two horses, but bettors also were affected as the scenario unfolded in the last race of the day, capping off multi-race wagers. Earlier this week, Machado's agent, Cory Prewitt, characterized the incident as “an honest mistake.” Machado has won 123 races from 814 mounts this year for purse earnings of more than $7.6 million. He has one win this Keeneland meet, piloting Joe Shiesty to an allowance win on Oct. 6 for trainer Eric Foster. Machado is best known this year as the regular rider of marathon specialist Next, who is likely to make his next start in a Breeders’ Cup race for Doug Cowans. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.