Eduardo Perez Taken to Hospital after Spill

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By Claire Novak
Jockey Eduardo Perez complained of chest pain and was undergoing precautionary x-rays at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, Ill., after being thrown by his mount, Cats Jazzy, in the first race at Arlington Park on Monday.

Perez was unseated when the 4-year-old gelding broke down at the top of the stretch in the $15,000 claiming event. The horse stepped on the jockey's chest but did not seem to cause serious damage, said Perez's agent, Tom Morgan. Perez walked to the track ambulance on his own and was taken directly to the hospital as a precaution.

None of the other entries in the five horse field were involved in the accident. Cats Jazzy was euthanized.

"The horse stepped on him and his chest is sore, so we're just waiting for the x-ray results," Morgan said. "If everything checks out, he'll probably be released later today and take the dark days off. He should be riding by Thursday."

Due to Arlington Park's Memorial Day race card, the Chicago track will be dark Tuesday and Wednesday.

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