Jockey Tony D'Amico was taken to a Louisville hospital for evaluation after being injured when he was thrown from his mount during the running of Wednesday's 10th race at Churchill Downs. The 49-year-old native of Ravenna, Ohio was racing in tenth in the field of eleven horses at the top of the stretch when his mount, Deep Woods, suddenly swerved inward toward the rail and tossed D'Amico from the saddle. The jockey landed in the path of the oncoming Sally Forth, ridden by Leslie Mawing. The trailing horse apparently struck D'Amico while attempting to hurdle the fallen rider. D'Amico was conscious when medical personnel arrived. Attending physician Dr. Shannon Becht said that he complained of back pain. He was transported by ambulance to Caritas Medical Center for further evaluation.
A 30-year veteran, D'Amico has suffered several major injuries in riding mishaps during his career. He suffered a broken neck in a spill in 1989 and was treated for a neck and spine injury following another fall in 1999. Neither horse was injured in the mishap. (Chart, Equibase)
