Jockey Rafael Bejarano was hospitalized Sept. 3 with possible rib and back injuries following an incident in the fourth race at Saratoga, when his mount - the Mark Hennig-trained Marital Asset - broke through the gate at the New York track.
Marital Asset broke through the gate but was still in the hands of the assistant starter, who attempted to hold the colt, said NYRA head starter Roy Williamson. Marital Asset then reared and pinned Bejarano in the starting gate before breaking loose and galloping down the track.
Bejarano was removed from the track via ambulance and taken to the first aid station at Saratoga, where it was determined he should be sent on to Albany Medical Center. According to Tim Kelly, clerk of the scales for the New York Racing Association, the jockey was hospitalized with possible rib and back injuries.
Bejarano's agent, Joe Ferrer, said from Florida that initial x-rays of the jockey's back returned negative. Ferrer was awaiting the results of an MRI, and no further information was immediately available on the jockey's condition.
Marital Asset, a 4-year-old son of A.P. Indy, has a record of 1-3-3 from nine career starts for owner Edward P. Evans. He was immediately apprehended by the outrider and appeared uninjured by the incident.
Bejarano has had a streak of bad luck at Saratoga for the past three years. He injured his foot in 2005 early into his first season at the Spa, and suffered cracked ribs in 2006 after riding for most of the meet.
