by Karen M. Johnson
Two horses were euthanized and two riders were sent to the hospital after a spill in the fifth race at Belmont Park Sept. 13.
Unrestricted, ridden by Javier Castellano, suffered a compound fracture of the cannon bone of his right foreleg approaching the half-mile pole in the one-mile dirt race for maidens.
Gruffles, under John Velazquez, fell over Unrestricted and suffered a compound fracture of the radius bone – the bone that runs from the elbow to the knee – in his right front.
Both riders were taken to North Shore University Hospital after being examined by the track physician. Velazquez was complaining of knee pain, and Castellano was scheduled to undergo chest X-rays.
Gruffles, a 3-year-old son of Mr. Greeley, was making his third career start. Last weekend he worked in company with stablemate The Green Monkey. Unrestricted, a 3-year-old son of A.P. Indy, was making his second start.
