More Bad News for Injured Santos; Dominguez Returning

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Eclipse Award-winning jockey Jose Santos, injured in a racing accident at Aqueduct Feb. 1, has been diagnosed with further fractures to the spine than initially detected by physicians.

According to Kelly Wietsma, the jockey’s public relations manager, Santos received compression fractures to the T-5, T-6, T-7, T-8, and T-9 vertebrae in addition to his fractured sternum, with the fractures to T-7 vertebrae being the worst. Initial swelling prevented doctors from detecting the injuries, which will keep Santos sidelined for an undetermined amount of time.

“He’s going to take it month by month, go back and see the doctor every couple weeks, and see how it goes,” Wietsma said. “He’s in Florida with his family, resting comfortably.”

Jockey Ramon Dominguez, who has not ridden since being involved in the same spill more than three weeks ago, received medical clearance to return to racing after doctors reviewed an MRI of his injured right knee Friday morning.

According to the jockey’s agent, Steve Rushing, Dominguez suffered bruising to the bone which has healed in the past three weeks. He will begin exercising horses Saturday and is expected to be accepting mounts at Aqueduct by Wednesday.

At the time of the spill, Dominguez had a 13-win lead over Eibar Coa as the leading rider for the current Aqueduct meet. Coa has since passed Dominguez, with 40 wins to Dominguez’s 36 as of Friday.

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