Pedroza Dusts Off After Spill, Wins Next Pair

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Martin Pedroza, leading rider during the current Fairplex meet at the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona, escaped without injury following a nasty spill in the sixth race Friday, then dusted himself off and won each of the next two races.

Pedroza, who is chasing his fifth straight Fairplex riding title, was aboard 2-year-old filly Burnin Money when she fell after breaking a front leg on the backstretch and rolled several times after dislodging the rider. Pedroza was shaken up, but otherwise uninjured. Burnin Money was euthanized.

A second filly, Ruby Choise, ridden by Jose Silva, also went down when unable to avoid the fallen Burnin Money, but horse and rider were okay.

Both jockeys were treated and quickly released. Pedroza returned to win aboard No Love Song ($6.20) in the seventh race and Too Excessive ($4.40) in the eighth, to increase his lead in a spirited race for the riding crown over Tyler Baze to three victories, 23-20. The meet concludes Sunday.

"It was a very ugly fall, I'm told," said Pedroza. "I'm very happy to be okay.

"I told the lady in the ambulance, please let me go, I want to win the next two races."

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