Angel Cruz breaks hand in spill

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Jockey Angel Cruz suffered a broken left hand as a result of a spill in Monday’s fifth race at Saratoga and will miss at least the remainder of the meet, according to his agent, Bill Castle.

Cruz was aboard Steve’s Image, a first-time starter, in a maiden 2-year-old race on the turf. Leaving the starting gate, Steve’s Image shied away from a horse on his inside - the eventual winner, Pagan - shortly after the start. When Steve's Image veered in, Cruz lost his balance and landed hard on the firm turf course.

Cruz was taken by ambulance to Saratoga Hospital where X-rays revealed the break. X-rays of Cruz’s neck and spine were negative and he was expected to be released from Saratoga hospital early Monday evening.

“He will not be riding the rest of the Saratoga meet, that is confirmed,” Castle said. “But he’s grateful beyond believe compared to what it could have been.”

Cruz, a 20-year-old native of Puerto Rico, was a finalist for the Eclipse Award for outstanding apprentice jockey in 2014, riding 119 winners from 781 mounts. He rode most of his apprenticeship in New York, where he finished fourth in the Aqueduct inner-track standings.

While still an apprentice, Cruz won the Aqueduct spring title, 22-20, over Irad Ortiz Jr.

Cruz lost his apprentice status on May 17 but still managed to win 26 races during the Belmont spring-summer meeting, including three stakes. At Saratoga, he was 4 for 40.