Apprentice jockey Cruz Contreras, the current leading jockey at Arlington Park, was treated and released from Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights following a two-horse spill in the second race Monday at the suburban Chicago racetrack. Contreras, who got up and walked to the ambulance after falling, complained of pain in his left shoulder. The 23-year-old native of Guadalajara, Mexico, was injured when his mount, Princely Soldier, broke down near the three-eighth mile marker on the far turn in the one-mile race and tossed the rider to the track. "The X-rays all came back negative," reported Tom Morgan, Contreras' agent. "He has a bruise on his left shoulder, which was his point of impact. He's sore and we'll take it day to day."
Nipstick, ridden by apprentice jockey James Graham, was unable to avoid the fallen horse. Graham, who was unseated, was not hurt. Graham's only other scheduled mount, Crazy Old Lady in the sixth race, was scratched. Entering Monday's card at Arlington, Contreras sat atop the jockey standings with 18 victories, four more than defending riding champion Rene Douglas. Graham, riding in his first full season at Arlington Park, is tied for fifth in the standings with seven wins. (Chart, Equibase)
