Jockey Jorge Chavez, who was unseated during the running of the ninth race at Aqueduct Racetrack Dec. 4, will be sidelined at least five months as a result of injuries that include a broken collarbone, broken ribs, and broken vertebrae.
According to the New York Racing Association’s jockey advocate, Chavez, 50, was diagnosed at North Shore University Hospital with a left clavicle fracture, five left rib fractures, and fractures of the L1 and L2 vertebrae.
“He’s doing OK,” said David Grace, the rider’s agent. “He broke his collarbone and some ribs and fractured the vertebrae and they kept him overnight last night. He was in good spirits.”
Grace added that Chavez could be released from the hospital Dec. 5.
Silver Mast, Chavez’s mount in the 1 1/16-mile maiden turf contest for New York-bred fillies and mares, fell turning for home and dropped her rider. The 3-year-old daughter of Mizzen Mast rolled over Chavez before getting to her feet and did not appear to be injured in the incident.
Chavez, a native of Peru, was the leading rider on the NYRA circuit from 1994-1999 and won the 1999 Eclipse Award as the nation’s outstanding jockey. He won the 2001 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) aboard Monarchos.