Jockey Angel Suarez Suffers Broken Femur In Fair Grounds Spill

Jockey Angel Suarez has undergone successful surgery to repair a broken femur suffered during a spill at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, La. on Saturday, the Puerto Rico native reported via Twitter on Sunday.

“Thanks everybody for the calls, txts and prayers,” Suarez wrote. “So many people reaching out with so many good wishes made my eyes tear you guys are amazing, thank you all.”

The incident occurred during Saturday's 10th race, when Suarez' mount Kehron's Creed was unable to avoid a stricken rival, Caramel Latte, at the five-sixteenths pole. Kehron's Creed returned to her feet and walked off the track under her own power, according to Equibase, while no news was provided on Caramel Latte.

An Eclipse Award finalist for outstanding apprentice jockey in 2012, Suarez has ridden 710 winners from 5,030 starters in his career.

Suarez made a few of the more bizarre headlines in racing history in 2014. The jockey faced criminal charges after he broke into two apartments in Bensalem, Penn., under the influence of an unknown substance. Though Suarez does not remember the night, he was spotted half-naked, climbing the second story balcony of a woman's apartment. He seized her dog and exited, leaping off the balcony. He then broke into another unit, where he was shot twice by a man babysitting a toddler.

Suarez underwent surgery for damage to his liver and pancreas, and was in a medically-induced coma for a week. He returned to the saddle in 2016, and was ranked in the top 100 jockeys by wins in both 2018 and 2019.

“There are a lot of people out there who are only looking out for themselves,” Suarez told Doug McCoy of The Racing Biz in 2018. “You have to learn who you're real friends are. It's been my true friends and family that's helped me pull through this. I've been lucky enough to be given a second chance in life and I'm trying to make the most of that chance.”

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Apprentice Victor Flores Hospitalized, Suffered Head Trauma In Morning Training Incident At Fair Grounds

Apprentice jockey Victor Flores has been hospitalized due to “severe head trauma” after an incident during morning training hours at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, La. Wednesday morning, according to former agent, Rudy Rodriguez, Jr., who set up a GoFundMe page to help offset medical expenses for the young rider.

The Blood-Horse reports that Flores was breezing a horse for trainer Matt Shirer when the horse bolted to the outside. Flores fell in the path of oncoming traffic from horses jogging near the outside rail, and was transported to a local hospital via ambulance.

The filly Flores was riding was not injured.

Flores rode at Monmouth Park this summer, then most recently took a couple mounts at Churchill Downs before traveling to New Orleans for the winter. The apprentice has compiled a total of 24 wins since earning his license in 2018.

Read more at bloodhorse.com.

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Jockey Miguel Mena Suffers Broken Ribs In Thursday Incident At Churchill Downs

Jockey Miguel Mena will miss the remainder of the September Meet after he suffered broken ribs in an incident on Thursday at Churchill Downs.

Mena was dismounted in Race 5 on Thursday. His agent, Joe Santos Jr., reported on Twitter that Mena is expected to be sidelined two-to-three weeks.

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Marcelino Pedroza Back In The Saddle Monday At Indiana Grand

Marcelino Pedroza Jr., 2019 leading jockey at Indiana Grand, is set to return Monday, Sept. 7 at Indiana Grand. The native of Panama has been out with an elbow injury since a training incident May 28 at Indiana Grand.

“I've been working hard and exercising and getting on an equicizer to get back in shape, and I feel great,” said Pedroza. “I didn't want to get on any horses until I got the okay from the doctor because I wanted to do everything right. I got the okay from the doctor yesterday (Wednesday, Sept. 2) and was able to get on four horses (Thursday, Sept. 3). It feels really good to be back.”

Pedroza has been competing on the Indiana circuit full time for the past five years. He earned the leading rider title during the 2017 meet followed up by a title in 2019. Last year's record-setting season in Indiana brought him 153 winners during the 120-day meet. He set the record for most purse earnings in one season ($3,406,044). He also tied Rodney Prescott for most wins on one program with six wins. Pedroza has earned 15 career stakes wins at Indiana Grand and is ranked fifth on the list of all-time leading riders for wins in Indiana with 495 trips to the winner's circle, bringing in more than $12 million in total purse earnings.

“I've been exercising a lot in addition to my physical therapy,” added Pedroza. “I go to therapy for my (left) elbow twice a week and my therapist told me last week I was ready, but we had to wait for the doctor's okay. I'm just happy to finally be back and I can't wait to ride Monday. It's good to be able to do what you love to do.”

Pedroza has five scheduled mounts on the Monday, Sept. 7 racing program. He will begin in Race 1 aboard Talented Tapper from post one at odds of 5-2.

Racing is held Monday through Thursday each week through Wednesday, Nov. 18. Two more Saturday programs are slated for all-Quarter Horse racing days Oct. 3 and Oct. 24 with a daytime first post. For more information, visit www.indianagrand.com.

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