Paralyzed Trainer Gets First Win Since Crash

• Print

(from Del Mar report)
Trainer Dan Hendricks, paralyzed from the waist down in a motorcycle accident July 7, posted his first victory since the crash Wednesday when his Littlebitofzip was a dominating four-length winner of Del Mar's fourth race.

Hendricks watched the race from the office of Tom Robbins, Del Mar's director of racing, and then talked to the media following the maiden allowance race. Apprentice jockey Alex Bisono booted the 2-year-old colt home for a winning mutuel of $32.60. It was the first win in 19 starts for the Hendricks barn at the Del Mar meeting.

"It's a good win," Hendricks said. "This will get us going. It should put a charge into the barn."

Hendricks' wife, Samantha, went to the winner's circle for the presentation ceremony.

It was Hendricks' second afternoon to watch the races at the track, and his third visit overall since he began rehabilitation. He was at the barn one day last week. "We talk on the phone every day," the trainer said. "They're probably tired of hearing from me."

His wife and assistant trainer Francisco "Cisco" Alvarado have been running the operation since his hospitalization and rehabilitation.

Hendricks said his rehab probably would be finished in a week or two. "I'll go back up (to Santa Anita) with the horses," a smiling Hendricks said. "By Oak Tree, we'll be back to normal."

(Chart, Equibase)

• Print