Court breaks hand in Derby Day finale spill

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Jon Court suffered a broken hand while fellow jockey Jose Ortiz emerged body-sore but otherwise uninjured in a two-horse spill in the 13th and last race of the Kentucky Derby program Saturday at Churchill Downs.

The incident occurred nearing the half-mile pole on the main track, where Canadian Winner, ridden by Court, broke down badly. Appealing Alex was trailing him and could not avoid him, throwing Ortiz.

Court’s agent, Steve Krajcir, said Court was “resting comfortably” while in Audubon Hospital early Sunday.

“It’s a clean break,” said Krajcir. “The doctors haven’t estimated how much time he’ll miss, but hopefully, it won’t be all that long.”

Ortiz was on a flight home to New York early Sunday and took off his mounts Sunday at Belmont Park but is expected back in action Wednesday, said agent Jim Riccio Jr. Ortiz rode Samraat to a fifth-place finish in his first Derby mount.

Canadian Winner, trained by D. Wayne Lukas, had to be euthanized. Appealing Alex, trained by Nick Zito, was vanned off the track. The extent of his injuries was not immediately known.