Apprentice jockey Mauro Cedillo hospitalized after spill

Mauro Cedillo, a 24-year-old apprentice jockey, remained in serious condition at a hospital in Cleveland on Tuesday afternoon, according to his agent, 24 hours after he was thrown from a horse at Thistledown racetrack.

Luis Quinones, his agent, said that the jockey remains on a ventilator to assist his breathing, but that the rider has movement in his legs. Doctors continue to conduct tests on the rider, and family and friends gathered at the Metro Health Center in Cleveland were awaiting the results of those tests.

“There’s not much I can tell you right now,” Quinones said. “Everything is still the same as this morning. He’s on the ventilator but he’s moving his legs.”

Cedillo was thrown from Spectacular Road after the horse stumbled going into the first turn of the race while in front of the field, according to the chart. One or more horses appeared to make contact with the rider while he was on the ground.

The Monday card was canceled after the first race was declared official. Thistledown resumed racing on Tuesday. Track officials did not return phone calls on Tuesday.

Cedillo, a native of Guatemala, has 31 wins from 252 starts this year. Last year, he had 70 wins from 509 starts and was the leading rider at Mahoning Valley’s fall meet in Youngstown, Ohio. He began riding in 2021.