Bejarano Out Two Weeks

Perennial leading California jockey Rafael Bejarano has been diagnosed with a strained ligament in the outer portion of his right hand and will miss about two weeks of action, his agent Tora Yamaguchi told the Del Mar press office Saturday.

“The doctor said it was not a big deal,” Yamaguchi said. “He has a small brace and with three or four days wearing it, and not using the hand, it should be fine.”

Bejarano, who sustained the injury during Tuesday training hours at Santa Anita, was to have seven mounts on Friday's opening day program, but instead spent past of the day seeing a hand specialist in Los Angeles. In addition to the injury, he will also serve a pair of three-day suspensions, meaning that his intended return to the saddle is set for Saturday, Nov. 26.