Jockeys Vladimir Diaz and Emilio Flores were unseated from their mounts when Sleetingntexas fell heading into the far turn in the third race at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course Feb. 12. Both riders were transported to Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center with undisclosed injuries.
Diaz was aboard Sleetingntexas, who was the 5-2 betting favorite in the six-furlong sprint for trainer Jim Tracy at the Pennsylvania track. The 4-year old daughter of Seattle Sleet had won her last two races after back-to-back seconds in her first two career starts. She attracted a claim in this event for $5,000 from owner Robert Derr, but she had to be euthanized due to the severity of her injuries. Flores’ mount, Lightin Lizzie, stumbled over the fallen horse and sent her rider to the ground.
Flores came into the night with a record of nine wins from 66 mounts this year, while Diaz has posted seven victories from 58 trips to the starting gate this year.
