Jockey Penalba's Arlington Season Ends With Injury

• Email
• Print
• Tweet

Jockey Cecilio Penalba, ninth in Arlington Park’s jockey standings, will be sidelined the rest of the season due to injuries suffered in a spill during the second race Aug. 9.

According to his agent Oscar Sanchez, Penalba, 31, a native of Sona, Panama, suffered injuries to his back, knee and face when his mount Classic Canyon clipped heels with a rival entering the stretch and fell, throwing Penalba to the ground. Classic Canyon, owned by William Tippett, appeared uninjured, according to trainer Ron Goodridge Aug.17.

The popular jockey, who resides in South Florida, was riding at Arlington for the first time this season. Sanchez also said that Penalba is expected to remain in Northwest Community Hospital a few days for further tests.

“It’s just one of those unfortunate things,” said Sanchez. “It wasn’t anyone’s fault.  Cecilio doesn’t blame anybody. Things like that happen in racing.”

Penalba, a graduate of Panama’s highly regarded jockey school, had ridden 24 winners from 259 mounts at Arlington this summer, with total purse earnings of $532,538.

• Email
• Print
• Tweet