Edited Fair Grounds press release
Jockey Donnie Meche sustained apparent injuries when he was thrown from his mount in the first race at Fair Grounds Dec. 28.
Meche was aboard the 3-year-old filly Miss San Lilli, who was running third in a four-horse maiden claiming race when Meche was thrown just past the three-sixteenths pole. He appeared to be kicked by the trailing horse, Karens Magic Shoes.
Meche was conscious, but remained on the track for several minutes before being taken off on a stretcher and transported to Tulane Medical Center.
Meche, 34, is a native of Rayne, La. He has six wins from 117 mounts at the meet. His Fair Grounds career highlights include wins in the 2001 Louisiana Derby (gr. II) aboard Fifty Stars and the 2000 Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) on Shawnee Country.
Miss San Lilli was euthanized with multiple fractures to her right front ankle.