C.C. Lopez Sidelined With Broken Wrist

By Claire Novak
Jockey C.C. Lopez, injured in racing accident at Aqueduct on Wednesday, sustained a fractured right wrist and will be off his mounts for at least a month, said his agent, James Ricco Jr.

The accident occurred during the fourth race, a six-furlong maiden special weight, when the Jennifer Pedersen-trained A Song For Hope fell mid-stretch and unseated jockey Antonio Vega. Lopez was thrown when his mount, Stevie Ray Gone, tripped over the fallen horse and rider. Both horses avoided serious injury in the spill.

Following preliminary care at Aqueduct, Vega and Lopez were transported to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, where X-rays revealed 45-year-old Lopez's injured wrist.

"He fractured a radius and they're telling us it'll take about four weeks to heal," said Ricco Thursday. "They put him in a splint and he's going to have a specialist look at it to make sure that's the best thing to do. It's pretty tough because he broke his thumb and just came back ... he rode for three days before this happened."

Lopez broke his thumb and fractured several ribs when his mount broke down and caused a three-horse spill at Aqueduct Nov. 25.

Vega complained of general soreness and a swollen knee, but is expected to return to riding this weekend. He is named to four mounts Friday and four on Saturday.