Jockey Casey Lambert Hospitalized After Fall

(from Lone Star Park report)
Jockey Casey Lambert was transported to Methodist Hospital in Dallas early Monday evening after falling in a three-horse spill in the ninth race at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Jockeys Cathleen Garner and Jesus Rodriguez also were unseated from their mounts, but both were released from the track's first aid station after examination.

According to Lone Star's assistant chaplain Eddie Rodriquez, who was at the hospital with Lambert's family, the 39-year-old rider suffered two breaks to his jawbone, multiple broken ribs on both his left and right side and a punctured lung. Rodriguez said he was listed in stable condition.

"He's banged up pretty good, but the good news is that the doctors said there appears to be no head trauma or head injuries," Rodriguez said at 7:30 p.m. "They said he's going to need some plastic surgery for his broken jaw in the next couple of days."

The native of Ruidoso, N.M. was knocked unconscious for a few minutes, but regained consciousness while undergoing initial treatment. Once stabilized, he was taken by ambulance to nearby Methodist Hospital. No further information was available at press time.

The accident occurred on the turn for home near the quarter-pole, when Lambert's mount Eunever broke down. The 5-year-old horse was positioned in fourth and appeared to be making a move for the lead from the outside when the accident occurred. Rox Solid, with Rodriguez aboard, was unable to avoid the fallen horse and jockey. Garner's mount Dazzling Embrace also fell.

Garner and Rodriguez were able to walk away from the spill, both complaining of "general soreness."

Dazzling Embrace, trained by Darrell Bravenec, and Rox Solid, conditioned by L.C. Williams, walked back to their barns. The Steve Akin-trained Eunever was vanned off, and no update on his condition was available at press time.

Lambert, a regular rider at Lone Star Park since 1998, is in the midst of one his best meets locally. Through Sunday, he ranked seventh in the jockey standings with 36 wins.