A trio of veteran jockeys were injured in a pair of riding accidents on Monday, Jan. 24, at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.
William Otero, a two-time leading rider at the track was thrown when Todd M. McCarty’s Karma Check broke down midway on the turn entering the stretch in the second race. David Cora, another former leading jockey, was unseated when he was unable to avoid the incident aboard Daniel Feiss’ Snow Way. Karma Check was euthanized after the spill.
In the sixth race jockey Emilio Flores was unseated when Jeffrey Haller’s Sticky Wicket stumbled, and then ducked in sharply nearing the turn in the six-furlong sprint.
The trio of jockeys were transported to Milton S. Hershey Penn State Medical Center. Otero was held overnight for observation but according to his agent John Krulock, is hopeful of riding again the night of Jan. 28. Cora was reported to have suffered a hand injury and could be sidelined for a longer period of time pending further tests.
Flores was examined for possible shoulder or collarbone injuries.
Last year Otero was the track’s second leading rider behind Dana Whitney with 125 victories. Cora was third with 122 wins, and Flores sixth in the standings with 77 first-place finishes.
