Martinez may be released from hospital Wednesday

Willie Martinez, who was injured in a spill just past the finish line in Friday’s third race at Presque Isle Downs, had to have minor surgery Sunday to have a tube inserted when a CT scan revealed damage to one of his lungs was worse than originally thought.

“It was a fairly simple procedure, I guess,” said Martinez’s agent Doug Davis. “They put in the tube on Sunday to try to keep the fluid off his lung, but it will probably come out Tuesday and hopefully he’ll go home Wednesday. He’s ready to get out of here.”

Martinez, 40, was taken to UPMC Hamot after his mount was knocked down by a horse lugging out past the wire. His mount, Bippity Bop, got up after rolling over Martinez,who was lay on the track with a broken collarbone, several broken ribs, and a punctured lung. He was kept overnight for observation, but the lung got worse on Sunday, Davis said.

Martinez recorded his 3,000th career win just two weeks ago.

“We’re looking to get back up by the last week of the meet,” he said. “That’s a good goal to set and we’re optimistic.”

Racing at Presque Isle continues through Oct. 1.