Jockey Luis Saez was alert and conscious following the spill, but was strapped to a backboard by attending paramedics and sent by ambulance to Albany Medical Center with pain in his shoulder/collarbone area.

An official statement from a New York Racing Association (NYRA) spokesman said, “During the running of Race 7 on Wednesday at Saratoga Race Course, Burning Bright (#3) appears to have had a major cardiovascular event in the clubhouse turn causing his sudden death. Burning Bright was trained by Norm Casse and ridden by Luis Saez, who was unseated and will be transported to Albany Medical Center for further evaluation. Saez was conscious and alert with movement in all extremities and complaining of pain in his shoulder/collarbone.”

Saez had picked up the mount on GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic) in Saturday's upcoming GI Travers S.

An additional NYRA statement added: “Five horses have sustained catastrophic injuries during racing at the 2023 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course, which opened on July 13 and has featured 2,226 horses starting in 294 races. One horse (Burning Bright) died suddenly during the running of a race due to a major cardiovascular event.”

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“I feel better than ever. I didn't realize how messed up I was really these last couple of years with these concussions and stuff until I took the time off,” Gilligan said. “I'm hoping the improvement I feel right now will show on the race track. Hopefully I will do better than ever.”

Between 2014 and early 2021, Gilligan won 356 races amassing $8,767,893 in earnings. His biggest win to date came at Fair Grounds in the 2019 Mineshaft (G3) aboard Silver Dust for trainer Bret Calhoun.  Having plenty of success in his young career, he has taken that winning attitude to the gym to be cranked for his return.

“I go to the gym five or six days a week,” Gilligan said. “A lot of cardio, a lot of time working the core in the gym. It hasn't been until this last month that I've started getting back on horses, in the morning breezing. It's been good and I feel really tight right now.”

Now fit and feeling fantastic, the new challenge is finding mounts.

“That's the tough thing: you have so long off you kind of lose all your business, so it's like starting all over again,” Gilligan said. “I'm not going to let it keep me down, I know it's tough. I'm going into it with the mindset I've got to start from scratch again. I'm not expecting anything and I am thankful for whatever opportunities I can get. I'm just going to work as hard as I can to try and get back riding.”

In 2020-21, Gilligan enjoyed quite a bit of success with trainer Shane Wilson.

“I hope I can start riding for Shane again,” Gilligan said. “I haven't gotten on anything for him so far but he said he was going to find something for me. Right now, I've got a mount for Jose Camejo on Saturday. One for Gary Scherer so far. I've been in there breezing for Al Stall so hopefully he might give me something.”

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Montanez, a 31-year-old native of San Diego, pressed the pace before finishing sixth on A.R.D. Racing Stables' first-time starter Holy Synchronicity in Race 5, a waiver maiden claimer for 3-year-olds sprinting 5 ½ furlongs. The Holy Boss gelding is trained by Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon.

“I'm very thankful to Rudy Sanchez-Salomon and his whole team and everybody behind him. I'm very blessed that he gave me an opportunity and he believes in me,” Montanez said. “We really had high expectations on the horse and not to take anything away from him but he just got tired. He really ran his race.

“Once I got in the gate, I felt more relaxed. I didn't have any pressure. I just felt like I was at home. I felt like I was laying on the couch in my living room,” he added. “I was relaxed and very pleased to be back. After so many obstacles, I'm very blessed that I was able to overcome all of them. I'm very thankful to all the doctors and nurses and all the staff that helped me make it back.”

It was the first race for Montanez, a finalist for the 2011 Eclipse Award as champion apprentice, since being unseated when his mount, 4-year-old filly Hendaya, clipped heels and fell leaving the backstretch of a 5 ½-furlong turf sprint July 17, 2020 at Laurel.

Represented by agent John Santagata, Montanez underwent surgery the next day at R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore.

Laurel-based trainer Brittany Russell launched a GoFundMe campaign the day after the accident to raise money for medical and general living expenses for Montanez. An initial goal of $25,000 was surpassed in less than 24 hours, and a second goal of $30,000 was reached days later. The total stands at $40,115.

“I'm very thankful and blessed for everything that Brittany did and everybody that donated,” Montanez said. “It was a very difficult road. When you come from where I come from, from the bottom, and you're trying to build yourself up, there's no going back. You can only go forward.

“I have been through tough situations in life and I've been blessed to overcome so many things,” he added. “Mentally it is challenging to any rider who gets injured and goes through what I had to go through. You just have to stay positive. It is frustrating at times, but I always believed in myself and I'm very blessed to everyone that helped me get to the point that I am.”

It is the second time Montanez has come back from a lengthy absence due to injury. He missed 20 months after suffering a concussion, fractured rib and pelvis and head lacerations that required a plate to be surgically inserted in his face after a July 2014 spill at Saratoga.

A career winner of 609 races and more than $18.8 million in purse earnings since 2010, Montanez won 77 races in 2020 riding primarily in Maryland. A multiple stakes-winning jockey, he was aboard Happy Lantern for Hall of Fame trainer King Leatherbury's 6,500^th career victory Sept. 22, 2018, at Laurel.

Montanez was cleared to get on horses in late October and began galloping at historic Pimlico Race Course, the Fair Hill Training Center in Elkton, Md., and Laurel Park, for trainers Miguel Vera, Kelly Rubley, Phil Schoenthal, Cal Lynch and others.

“They wanted me to start easily so I took my time and I did every procedure that the doctors wanted me to go through. I didn't rush anything. I said whatever's meant to be will always find a way,” Montanez said. “I was getting on horses every single day for the last 3 ½ months. I got my feet underneath me and I got a foundation to make the comeback and I feel very positive. I understand that I need to go out here and prove that I can still do it and after this ride, I really believe people shouldn't' question whether I can do it or not. I believe it and I hope everyone believes that I can do it again.”

Montanez is named on two horses when live racing returns to Laurel Thursday, Feb. 3 – Ellie Be Dancing for trainer Saul Ramirez in Race 5 and Mario Serey Jr.-trained Family Fortune in Race 8 – as well as Keen On You for trainer Hugh McMahon in Race 8 Friday, Feb. 4.

“From where I was a year and a half ago to where I am today is a big jump,” Montanez said. “I couldn't even believe it when I left the house today to ride my first race. I was like, 'Wow, thank God I'm making it back.

“I believe that 2022 will be the best part of my career. I really have that in mind,” he added. “I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but if it was easy then everybody would be where I want to be. It's going to be tough but it will be well worth it.”

Notes: Jockey Xavier Perez and trainer Jerry Robb teamed up for back-to-back winners Sunday, Al Loves Josie ($7.60) in Race 4 and Mad Genius ($5.80) in Race 5 … Trainer Anthony Farrior won twice Sunday with Treasure Trove ($10.20) in Race 6 and Monarch Beauty ($4.20) in Race 9 …There will be a carryover of $3,863 in the 20-cent Rainbow 6 when live racing returns to Laurel Thursday, Feb. 3. Post time is 12:25 p.m.

The post ‘You Just Have To Stay Positive’: Jockey Rosario Montanez Launches Comeback appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Ortiz suffered a small fracture to his knee, the jockey's agent, Steve Rushing, told McGee on Tuesday.

Ortiz injured the knee on Jan. 7 when his mount, Shea On a Mission, was fractious in the starting gate prior to the eighth race at Gulfstream Park. Shea On a Mission, a 4-year-old Mission Impazible filly with four previous starts, was scratched from the race.

Ortiz took off his two remaining mounts on the Jan. 7 program but thought he would be able to ride the Jan. 8-9 programs at Gulfstream. He scratched from those mounts the next morning after the pain did not subside, but expected to be back riding on Jan. 12. Those hopes were dashed when the fracture was discovered.

If he is sidelined three weeks, the injury could be a costly one for Ortiz, who was expected to be named to ride Life Is Good in the $3 million, Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational and defending champion Colonel Liam in the $1 million, G1 Pegasus World Cup Turf – both on Jan. 29 at Gulfstream Park. Ortiz rode Life Is Good to victory in his last start in the G1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and was aboard Colonel Liam in the 2021 Pegasus Turf.

Winner of the Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey in 2018, '19 and '20, Ortiz was the runaway leader in the jockey standings at the 2020-'21 championship  meet at Gulfstream Park. He finished second behind Joel Rosario in North American earnings in 2021, with $29,274,435.

The gate incident came one day after Ortiz returned from a 30-day suspension for careless riding at Aqueduct.

The post Report: Knee Fracture Could Force Irad Ortiz Jr. To Miss Pegasus World Cup appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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A native of Phoenix, Ariz., Eikleberry was the leading rider at Turf Paradise in 2009, 2010 and 2011 before riding in New Mexico. Last year, he made the move to Louisiana and Texas to ride for trainer Karl Broberg and won 42 races at Sam Houston Race Park, finishing second in the standings to Stewart Elliott.

“Honestly, I had no idea I would do that well here last year,” explained Eikleberry. “I knew I had Karl's business, but was pleasantly surprised that I got calls from a number of other trainers. Since I began riding (in 2005), there have been many ups and downs, but right now, it's very good!”

From Houston, Eikleberry had a successful meet at Canterbury Park before heading back to Delta Downs He suffered a fractured right wrist in a morning accident there, which did not require surgery, but kept him out of action for two months. Eikleberry turns 33 on Jan. 11 and looks forward to a successful year ahead.

“I was told not to ride while it healed as further trauma would have required surgery,” he said of the wrist fracture. “I was in a cast for two months and am glad I took the necessary time off. It's been a great start in Houston.”

The post Quick Start Puts Eikleberry Atop Sam Houston Jockey Standings appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Joel Rosario is named on seven horses Friday, which will mark his first day as a regular in Hot Springs and first action since suffering a hairline fracture of a rib when he was unseated shortly after the finish of a Dec. 2 race at Aqueduct.

Rosario ($32,944,478) was eyeing a single-season North American record for purse earnings before the injury. Now healthy, Rosario's return to the saddle will fall on his 37th birthday.

“He takes care of himself like no one, probably, you've ever met,” Rosario's agent, Ron Anderson, said Saturday afternoon. “He's exceptionally fit … his lady friend is a nutritionist. She's taught him how to take care of his weight, what to eat, what not to eat. He's ready to go at all times. It will be six weeks since he fell and he had a hairline fracture. It's time to get started again.”

All seven horses Rosario is named on Friday are for Hall of Famer and perennial Oaklawn training champion Steve Asmussen. Rosario and Asmussen teamed to win the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) Nov. 5 at Del Mar with unbeaten Echo Zulu. Rosario won the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) the following day aboard Knicks Go for trainer Brad Cox.

Cox (12 victories) and Asmussen (11) entered Sunday leading the 2021-2022 Oaklawn trainer standings. Coupled with Oaklawn's purse structure, the highest in the country this winter, Anderson said Oaklawn is a perfect fit for Rosario, who has enjoyed immense success in Hot Springs, particularly in 2020. Rosario wintered last year at Santa Anita, but Anderson has Hall of Famer John Velazquez there in 2022. Velazquez's major client is Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.

“We have success for two guys that are 1-2 and 2-1 there,” Anderson said, referring to Oaklawn. “The winter in California's not quite the same as it used to be. Just looking for a change. So, Brad we've won for; Steve, we've won for. We've won a Breeders' Cup for both of them. It's three days a week and the purses are fantastic. It's a good place to go for a change. I have Johnny, too, and Johnny's in California, per Bob's request. Sometimes, it's just the flow of the way things feel. Johnny won the last two Kentucky Derbys for Bob. Bob would like him to come out there. Joel won the Breeders' Cups for Brad and Steve. They're kind of the kingpins at Oaklawn. The purses are big. Joel doesn't mind it there. He likes it.”

Rosario rode six days during the final weeks of Oaklawn's 2020 meeting and won 15 races, including the $150,000 Oaklawn Mile Stakes aboard Tom's d'Etat for trainer Al Stall, $100,000 Rainbow Stakes aboard Man in the Can for trainer Ron Moquett of Hot Springs, $165,000 Arkansas Breeders' Championship Stakes aboard Man in the Can and the second division of the $500,000 Arkansas Derby (G1) aboard Nadal for Baffert.

Coupled with a double in March, including the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) aboard Nadal, Rosario finished with a spectacular 17-10-7 record from just 45 mounts and amassed $2,030,576 in purse earnings. Rosario ranked second in stakes victories at the meet (five), fourth in purse earnings and 11^th in victories – just one shy of cracking the top 10 – with an eye-popping 38 percent strike rate. Rosario added three more stakes victories at the 2021 Oaklawn meeting, including the $1 million Rebel (G2) for Baffert aboard Concert Tour.

Anderson said Rosario is booked to ride Concert Tour in the $150,000 Fifth Season Stakes for older horses Jan. 15 at Oaklawn, a one-mile race would mark the colt's first start for Cox. Rosario and Cox are scheduled to team up again Jan. 29 at Gulfstream Park when Knicks Go makes his final career start in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1).

“World-class rider,” Cox said Saturday afternoon. “I mean, it's no secret about that. He's a very good all-around rider and very happy that he's going to be there during the meet. Looking forward for him teaming up with Knicks Go again in the Pegasus and go from there.”

Anderson said Rosario is scheduled to ride regularly at Oaklawn until at least early April. Rosario has 28 career Oaklawn victories, including 12 stakes, with his mounts earning $4,979,104. In addition to Nadal, Rosario won the $200,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) and $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) in 2014 aboard Close Hatches for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. Close Hatches won an Eclipse Award as the country's champion older female that year.

A native of the Dominican Republic, Rosario rode his first winner in the United States in 2006. He has more than 3,000 career victories, including 15 in Breeders' Cup races and three in Triple Crown events, and his mounts have earned more than $250 million. Rosario won the $10 million Dubai World Cup (G1) in 2013 in the United Arab Emirates aboard Animal Kingdom.

In addition to purse earnings, Rosario led the country in stakes victories (69) and graded stakes victories (49) in 2021, according to Equibase, racing's official data gathering organization. Rosario is seeking his first Eclipse Award.

“Look, like I tell people, he's a world-class rider,” Anderson said. “He could go anywhere in the world and be competitive. Lucky enough we come in there and we ride for Steve right away. Got some calls with Brad, got some calls with (Ron) Moquett and some other people. We'll get back with it here.”

The post Rosario Back From Injury On Friday; Named On Seven Asmussen Runners At Oaklawn appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The race was declared a “no contest” by officials.

The six horses were just starting to make their way down the backstretch for the first time in the 6 1/2-furlong claiming race on the Josephine County Fairgrounds oval when the lights went out.

“The lights just went off,” track announcer Jason Beem said when the track went dark. “Somebody just turned the lights off. All the lights went off. I've got no clue what's going on and hopefully everybody is staying safe out there, because we can't see a thing. Unbelievable.”

Two horses, Lead Actress and Don't Rub It, could be seen without their riders passing under the wire in the light of the photo finish camera. Henry had been aboard Lead Actress with Anaya on Don't Rub It. Both were racing just behind the early leader along the inside when the lights went off.

According to Beem's Twitter feed, all horses were caught and not injured.

I'm told all horses are accounted for and back in the paddock. Jockey Patrick Henry is being attended to by medics on the track. That told to me by stewards. Absolutely terrifying situation. Race is a no contest for race 11.

— Jason Beem (@BeemieAwards) November 10, 2021

There was a lot at stake in the race for horseplayers, including a mandatory payout in the Pick 5 that included a $51,112 jackpot going in and took in over $300,000 in new money. The payoffs leading into the 11th race, the final leg of the sequence, were $3 in the seventh race, $38.60 in the eighth, $5.60 in the ninth, and $8.20 in the 10th. The Equibase chart did not show how the multi-race wagers were resolved, but track publicist Vince Bruun said the race was considered an “all” under Oregon racing rules, meaning every selection was credited with being a winner. The bet, which effectively became a pick 4, paid $357.75, according to Bruun.

How and why the lights went off isn't clear, but the speculation is they were set on a timer to go off at approximately 10:30 p.m. and were not adjusted after the switch from daylight savings to standard time on the morning of Nov. 7.

The nine-race program on Monday, Nov. 8, ended with the final event going at 9:21 p.m. Tuesday's finale was off at 10:28 p.m.

Randy Evers, general manager at Grants Pass Downs, could not be reached for comment or additional information.

The post VIDEO: ‘Somebody Just Turned The Lights Off’: Two Jockeys Injured in Bizarre Grants Pass Finale appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Voter Protection, the even-money favorite in the race, was at the back of the pack and clear of other horses at the time of the misstep that sent Lopez headlong into the turf. First Aid personnel said Lopez was “alert and oriented” but was complaining of left shoulder pain.

Lopez later told track personnel that his shoulder “popped out” but was not broken. He took off his final three mounts on the card.

According to the Equibase chart, Voter Protection was euthanized.

A 3-year-old More Than Ready gelding racing for Klaravich Stables Inc. and trained by Chad Brown, Voter Protection was making his seventh career start in the $25,000 maiden claiming race for 3-year-olds and up. He had raced for a claiming tag twice previously, most recently while finishing sixth in a six-furlong turf race for $50,000 maiden claimers at Belmont Park on Sept. 26.

Lopez is second leading jockey by wins in North America in 2021. His 281 wins are just nine behind Irad Ortiz Jr. Lopez is three wins shy of his most productive year in the saddle, and at nearly $10.6 million he is closing in on his best year from an earnings standpoint.

The post Paco Lopez X-Rayed For Possible Shoulder Injury After Meadowlands Spill appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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“In all of my years on the racetrack since I was 16, it's over 70 years that I've seen horse racing, I never saw anything like that one in my lifetime,” DeGregory said.

The legendary agent was referring to the chain-reaction spill that began when his rider, apprentice Diego Herrera, clipped heels while aboard Sassy Chasey approaching the far turn of the six-furlong maiden claiming race for fillies and mares. After Sassy Chasey and Herrera went down, six other horses also fell or lost their riders, leaving just five of the 12 starters to finish the race.

Miraculously, there were no serious injuries among jockeys or horses, with four riders going to a local hospital for evaluation before being discharged. Among the seven horses, there were only a few lacerations that required stitches. All were back in their stalls Sunday night.

Sassy Chasey was racing in third, in between frontrunners Katie's Paradise to the outside and Scream and Shout along the rail when she appeared to clip the heels of Katie's Paradise and went down, setting off the chain reaction that involved Backtoflash and Cesar Ortega; Whiskey Blue and Kyle Frey; Siena Silk and Emily Ellingwood; Renegade Princess and Tyler Baze; Phoenix Tears and Tiago Pereira; and Corners Up and Juan Espinoza.

Sassy Chasey scrambled to her feet with a saddle that slipped back from the impact of hitting the ground and began bucking while heading off in the wrong direction up the backstretch. At least two other horses scrambled to their feet and ran in that direction, while four runners continued behind the field without their riders.

The race was completed, with Mongolian Panther finishing first under Edwin Maldonado, but stewards would eventually declare the event “no contest,” citing a California Horse Racing Board rule giving stewards the option to do so if “mechanical failure or interference during the running of the race affects the majority of horses in such race.”

Flavien Prat, who was aboard one of the two early leaders, Scream and Shout, said he was unaware of the accident until the finish when he saw horses galloping around the clubhouse in the wrong direction. One of those horses, Phoenix Tears, jumped over a temporary railing at the gap near the seven-eighths pole that leads to the stables. The other horses were rounded up by outriders.

Four of the jockeys, who walked across the infield while medical personnel attended to Baze, Ellingwood and Ortega, were greeted with cheers from the crowd as they returned to the jockeys' room.

Pereira, who only 24 hours earlier won his first U.S. Grade 1 race in the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic, stopped along the railing to kiss his wife and young daughter. Pereira's agent, Patty Sterling, said Pereira's wife urged him to go to a local hospital for evaluation after he said his hip was sore. Baze, Ellingwood, Ortega and Pareira all went to Scripps La Jolla for X-rays and CT scans.

On Monday morning, agents for the four riders said each had some degree of body soreness but no broken bones or concussions. Reports on all seven horses were also positive, with no serious injuries documented, with only a few minor lacerations that required stitches.

DeGregory said Herrera was also suffering from body soreness on Monday, but he was not among those who went to the hospital. Herrera will have a meeting with the stewards to review the incident. “I told him to stand up for himself,” said DeGregory, who believes the outside horse, ridden by Jose Valdivia, made it too tight for Sassy Chasey as the field approached the far turn. “I told him, 'When they show you the head-on shot you'll have a better idea of what happened.'”

Sterling said Pereira had soreness in his ribs and right hip but that he hoped to ride Thursday afternoon while taking mornings off until then.

Sterling also represents Ortega, an apprentice who has been involved in two other mishaps this meet while struggling to find the winner's circle. She said the 26-year-old would take off the rest of the meet, regroup and point for the Los Alamitos meeting that follows Del Mar's closing day Sept. 6.

Jack Carava, agent for Tyler Baze, said the rider complained of some chest pain Sunday night and overall body soreness on Monday morning. He will take the week off, including a scheduled trip West Virginia to ride Restrainedvengence for trainer Val Brinkerhoff in Friday's $800,000 Charles Town Classic. He said Baze will return to ride the final week at Del Mar, Sept. 2-6.

Agent Fernando Navarro said his two riders, Ellingwood and Frey, both worked horses Monday morning and will ride this week. Ellingwood has bruising of the rotator cuff, Navarro said.

The post All Jockeys, Horses Escape Serious Injury In Seven-Horse Spill At Del Mar appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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“I'm looking forward to going back to work,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez has been out of action since sustaining a hairline fracture in his right leg during a racing mishap July 3.

“After about a month, I started working with the doctor with therapy to make the leg strong again,” Gonzalez said. “[Wednesday], I went to see my doctor and he told me that the x-ray was clear and I could go back to work again.”

The 29-year-old journeyman was enjoying a successful Spring/Summer Meet following his relocation from Penn National in late March, ranking third in the jockey standings with 59 wins. Despite the lost time, he is currently fourth in the standings behind Edgard Zayas, Emisael Jaramillo and Miguel Vasquez.

Gonzalez notched his 1,500th career victory June 12 at Gulfstream, where he has won four stakes – Powder Break and Ginger Punch aboard Shifty She, English Channel on Yes This Time and Sunny Isles aboard Caribou Club – during the Spring/Summer Meet. He had been scheduled to ride Miles Ahead in the $200,000 Smile Sprint (G3) on the July 3 program. Filling in for Gonzalez, Victor Espinoza rode Miles Ahead to victory in the Summit of Speed co-feature.

“I was enjoying my time at Gulfstream, working hard. I love winning races. I've had a perfect time here. I'm happy to come back,” said Gonzalez, who is represented by jockey agent Kevin Meyocks. “I can't wait until Saturday.”

Gonzalez is scheduled to ride Up Her Sleeve in Saturday's Proud Man, a mile turf stakes for 2-year-olds carded as Race 10. The Kent Sweezey-trained daughter of Mastery, who is coming off a maiden score against fillies in her turf debut, is the only filly in the Proud Man field.

The post Jockey Edwin Gonzalez Returns From Injury Saturday At Gulfstream appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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