Jockey Joe Bravo was hospitalized with a broken left collarbone following a spill at Belmont Park, after his mount broke down in the upper stretch during the third race on the New York track's opening day card. He is expected to miss 3-4 weeks.
Bravo was aboard the Gary Contessa-trained Find The Chestnut, a 4-year-old daughter of Horse Chestnut who had a 2-2-1 record from eight career starts, in a $50,000 one-mile allowance race. The filly was first at the start, took back to fourth, and was making a move into second off the turn when she broke her right front leg and unseated the rider.
Two horses, the Tom Bush-trained Rosie's Attitude under Garrett Gomez and the James Corraro-trained Carrs and Stripes under Channing Hill, collided with the fallen runner before continuing on to finish fourth and sixth, respectively, in the field of seven.
Bravo remained on the track until paramedics moved him to an ambulance. He was reported to be conscious and alert, but was taken directly to North Shore University Hospital, where x-rays detected the broken collarbone. He was expected to remain in the hospital overnight and to be released in the morning.
Find The Chestnut, owned by Wolf Hollow Stables, was euthanized.
