Jockeys, Horses OK After Picnic Umbrella Blows Onto Track

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Jockeys and their mounts escaped injury Thursday afternoon when a large umbrella, apparently from the trackside picnic area at Ellis Park, blew onto the main track as the field charged down the stretch in fifth race on the program.

Blue Bay, under Jesus Castanon, was in front by two lengths approaching the final sixteenth of the seven-furlong event when the umbrella, apparently lifted from a picnic table by a strong wind, blew onto the track. Jockeys of the two horses behind Blue Bay, Orlando Mojica aboard Adriatic Lady and Randall Toups aboard New Rochelle, had to duck as the umbrella flew over their heads and into the infield.

Details of how the events unfolded weren't immediately available, but all horses finished the race, which was quickly declared official.

It didn't appear to be raining at the Henderson, Ky., racetrack, but as the horses ran up the backstretch, the video feed was going up and down as if the camera was being buffeted by strong winds. In the stretch, it appeared the top of the safety rail was rippling because of the wind, and the lead horses were ducking in and out.

Blue Bay, owned by Everest Stables, won the claiming test for fillies and mares that hadn't won two races lifetime. Adriatic Lady was second and New Rochelle third.

The following race was run as scheduled without incident as it appeared the wind had subsided.

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