Saez Sidelined, Prat Picks Up Travers Mount On Mage

Jockey Luis Saez, who went down during the running of Wednesday's John's Call S. when his mount Burning Bright suffered a fatal cardiac event, was dignosed with a dislocated collarbone and slight fracture in his left wrist, according to a tweet from former trainer and current agent Kiaran McLaughlin, but was released from Albany Medical Center. He will be out of the saddle for an undetermined period of time.

After Javier Castellano committed to GI Belmont S. winner Arcangelo (Arrogate) for Saturday's $1.25-million GI Travers S., Saez was named by trainer Gustavo Delgado to partner with GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic) in the mile-and-a-quarter centerpiece of the Saratoga meeting. Early Thursday morning, Delgado tweeted that Flavien Prat will now replace the injured Saez.

Prat sits fifth behind Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the current jockey standings at the Spa, with 23 wins from 130 rides (18%), including Grade I successes aboard Program Trading (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in the Saratoga Derby Invitational; Whitebeam (GB) (Caravaggio) in the Diana S.; and Wet Paint (Blame) in the CCA Oaks.

 

Just left Albany Medical Center with @luissaezpty A dislocated collarbone, a fracture in his wrist, but in good spirits. Unlucky but lucky 🙏 pic.twitter.com/RaQNloaPWH

— Rodney Paine (@rodpaine68) August 24, 2023