Fund established to help paralyzed rider Martinez

A fund to cover medical expenses has been established for the 24-year-old jockey Michael Martinez, who suffered a severed spinal cord in a spill at Golden Gate Fields on Sunday.

Martinez, who is paralyzed from the waist down, remained in critical but stable condition mid-week at Highland Hospital in Oakland.

Checks should be made out to Michael Martinez Fund and sent to Golden Gate Fields, 1100 Eastshore Highway, Berkeley, CA 94710.

“No sport has better fans than horseracing, and we have received inquiries from fans across the country wanting to know how they could help Michael,” said Golden Gate general manager Robert Hartman. “The establishment of the Michael Martinez Fund affords people the opportunity to assist this fine young man and his family.”

Martinez’s wife, Charlotte, is due to give birth the couple’s first child later this month.