Krigger OK After Spill at Santa Anita

Jockey Kevin Krigger is expected to be back in action for his mount in the Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 21 after being involved in a spill at Santa Anita Park Jan. 18.

Agent Tom Knust reported that Krigger was in good shape on the morning of Jan. 19 after the St. Croix native went down in the fifth race a day earlier. The jockey was taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena for examination following the mishap.

Krigger has no mounts scheduled Saturday and his only ride the following day, So Elite, in the sixth race at Santa Anita, was scratched. Knust said Krigger will be at Oaklawn Park Jan. 21 to ride Eddie Logan Stakes winner Avare for trainer Doug O’Neill in the $150,000 Smarty Jones for 3-year-olds.

The 29-year-old jockey was unseated when his mount, Ricspretentiousgal, clipped heels during the stretch run. Original winner Indecise, ridden by Garrett Gomez, was disqualified after the incident, which occurred inside the eighth pole of the one-mile turf race.

Krigger was tied for eighth in the jockey standings at Santa Anita as of Jan. 19 with seven wins overall.

He has received a good deal of national attention of late, as the regular rider of leading Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) hopeful Goldencents  , winner of the Sham Stakes (gr. III) Jan. 5.