Jockey Jose Valdivia Jr. suffered a broken left tibia and fibula during an incident in Thursday's fourth race at Churchill Downs and is expected to be out of action through at least mid-January. Valdivia Jr., 41, underwent successful surgery Friday morning at the University of Louisville Hospital.
Valdivia was thrown from his mount Millenial (Speightstown) nearing the far turn of the 1 1/16-mile grass race. Millenial broke down in his left front and was euthanized. American Sea (Americain), ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr., and Exit Laughing (Distorted Humor), with Shaun Bridgmohan up, were unable to avoid the fallen horse and rider, and fell, as well. Corey Lanerie also was unseated from his mount, Irish Proud (Proud Citizen), but the colt did not fall. Bridgmohan took off his remaining two rides Thursday with body soreness, while Lanerie and Santana Jr. continued in the saddle and each recorded wins.
“I felt like I had won that race just to be able to walk away from it okay,” said Lanerie. “For a moment I didn't know what to expect. I just held on for the ride. It always feels good to get right back up from it and go win. It kind of makes you forget about that bad moment and just think about the good ones.”
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