Jockey Omar Berrio began the new year resting at Arcadia Methodist Hospital after suffering an apparent stroke following the races two days earlier.

“I visited him twice yesterday,” said trainer A.C. Avila Jan. 1.

Avila, Berrio’s friend who gives the 42-year-old Panamanian first call on his horses, added: “He had his first MRI Thursday night (Dec. 30), with more scheduled. He has responded well to medication but has to be evaluated again. He’s moving his (left) arm and it looks like he’s going to be OK.”

Berrio won the seventh race Dec. 30 in front-running fashion on Celtic Princess for Avila but was stricken a short time later and was hospitalized.