Riders Ocampo, Lopez Injured in Arlington Spill

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Jockeys Israel Ocampo and Uriel Lopez sustained multiple injuries from a spill during the second race at Arlington Park Aug. 17.  Both will be out of action for an indefinite period.
 
According to agent Jodie Sinclair, Ocampo, whose horse High Pay broke down and fell just before the top of the stretch, suffered multiple facial injuries that required surgery that evening.

“He’s doing well this morning, all things considered,” said Sinclair Aug. 18. Aside from his facial injuries, the jockey "had no other broken bones" and was to be released the next day, Sinclair added. "He’s a young man, and he’ll bounce back from this. He’s the toughest guy I know.”

According to Lopez’s agent, John Christiano, the rider “has a broken left thumb and a small cast on his hand, as well as several bruised ribs” that caused minor internal injuries. “If all goes well, he’ll be released tonight or tomorrow morning. They said he can’t ride for about four weeks, but he should be ready to go by opening day at Hawthorne,” he said.
 
Lopez fell when his mount McLord, following High Pay on the turn, could not avoid the fallen horse. McLord was able to get up and walked away.

(Chart, Equibase)

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