Laurel Leader Napravnik Breaks Collarbone

(from Laurel Park release)
Leading rider Rosie Napravnik fractured her left collarbone in a chain reaction spill during the running of Saturday's first race at Laurel Park and is expected to miss four to six weeks.

Racing through the final bend in the 6-1/2 furlong race for 2-year-old maiden claimers, Rubidium appeared to clip heels and fell, sending jockey Chris Russell hard to the ground. Napravnik, riding Dublin Money, was racing directly behind the fallen horse. Dublin Money tried to hurdle Rubidium but clipped his back legs with the downed horse, tripped and fell, sending Napravnik forward and face down onto the track.

Walter Cullum, who was aboard Prime Time Chief, and Charles Forrest, who was riding Twiknot, swerved to avoid the fallen horses and both riders fell off their mounts.

Russell was unconscious for two minutes at the scene and was taken to Howard County Hospital for further tests and released.

Cullum sustained a sprained right wrist and concussion. Forrest was able to ride in the following race.

Napravnik tops all riders at the Laurel Park fall meeting with 45 victories in the first 44 days of the stand. The 17-year-old apprentice rode a career best four winners on Oct. 29.

None of the horses involved in the accident were seriously injured.