Three jockeys involved in a spill in the final race at Del Mar July 24 are returning to action without missing any time.
Victor Espinoza, whose mount, Be Driven, broke down to start a chain-reaction accident, was taken to Scripps Hospital in Encinitas for X-rays that showed a sprain to an ankle, but nothing more serious.
“The swelling went down after the first day and he says he’s all right,” Espinoza’s agent, Brad Pegram, said. “He’s going to ride today.”
Espinoza is booked on four mounts as Del Mar resumes racing July 27, starting with Grumpy Small Mouth in the first race and concluding with Calimonco in the featured $85,000 Wickerr Stakes.
The other two riders, Martin Pedroza and Joel Rosario, were not injured in the incident. Pedroza is named on five horses while Rosario has the call in seven races.
The 5-year-old mare Be Driven broke her left front fetlock entering the far turn during the ninth race, a $16,000 claiming race for fillies and mares. Be Driven had to be euthanized due to her injuries.
Espinoza attempted to pull up the injured horse, resulting in Pedroza on Bonita Montana clipping heels and stumbling to the ground. Rosario, on trailing Katy's Kitty, attempted to jump over the fallen Bonita Montana, but she stumbled and fell as well.
After falling from his mount, Espinoza was examined at the track’s first aid room and then transported to the hospital.
Track veterinarians reported that the other two horses involved in the incident were not injured.
Victor Espinoza
Benoit Photography