Apprentice jockey Marcano dies in motorcycle accident at 19

Luis Yamil Marcano, who won 52 races as an apprentice jockey in 2023, died on Sunday night after being involved in a two-vehicle collision in his native Puerto Rico, according to multiple reports. Marcano was 19.

Marcano, who finished eighth in the standings at Belterra Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2023, was riding a motorcycle in San Juan on Sunday night when he was hit by a pickup truck, according to Puerto Rico newspapers. The driver of the truck fled the scene. Marcano died of his injuries.

Marcano moved back to Puerto Rico after Belterra closed its season in October, and he had been riding periodically at Camarero Park in Puerto Rico throughout October and November. He had planned to ride at Tampa Bay Downs later this winter, according to reports.

A graduate of Puerto Rico’s riding school, Marcano began his career at Camarero.

“Luis Yamil, an exceptional and passionate rider, represented the best of our sport with his dedication and talent,” said the Puerto Rico Racing Commission, in a statement posted on social media. “His early departure fills us with sadness, but his legacy fills us with pride for all that he accomplished in his short career.”

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