Jockey Michael Baze who was found dead in his car at the stable area of Churchill Downs was due to face court on cocaine charges.
Court records showed the 24-year-old was set to face charges of cocaine possession on Thursday (Friday AEST) after being arrested on November 18.
No cause of death has yet been established.
Baze began riding in California at age 16, following a family legacy that includes his retired jockey father Mike Baze and cousin Russell Baze, the all-time win leader in North American thoroughbred racing.
Baze was a nephew by marriage of jockey Gary Stevens, a three-time Derby winner, who said he was among the rising stars among US jockeys.
“He was one of the premier riders in the country as far as me watching every day,” Stevens said.
“There’s no bias there. The kid could just flat ride. He was just starting to get the notoriety and the respect from the horsemen.
“It’s just shocking. He had a great future ahead of him.”
AFP AAP TURF