Back injuries to sideline Maragh for six months

ELMONT, N.Y. – Rajiv Maragh, who suffered multiple fractures in his back in a spill at Belmont Park last Friday, will be out a minimum of six months, according to his father, Collin.

Rajiv Maragh will remain hospitalized until later this week with four fractured vertebrae and two broken ribs as well as a punctured lung. The injuries occurred during Belmont’s fifth race last Friday, when Maragh’s mount, Yourcreditisgood, clipped heels with Mini Muffin. Under Ruben Silvera, Mini Muffin drifted into the path of Yourcreditisgood, who went down and hurled Maragh to the ground.

Mini Muffin finished fifth and was disqualified and ordered unplaced. Silvera on Sunday was suspended by the stewards for seven days, upped to 10 after Silvera opted to appeal.

Via Twitter, Maragh said over the weekend that his injuries would not require surgery.

On Monday, Collin Maragh, a Florida-based trainer, was at Belmont Park and said his son was in “good spirits,” but doctors wanted to monitor him for a few more days and see how he responded to medication.

“He got up yesterday to stand; that was an improvement,” Collin Maragh said.

Rajiv Maragh celebrated his 30th birthday last Thursday by winning a race on the Belmont card. He rode 24 winners at the meet and was among six riders who had between 24 and 28 victories here this summer. Maragh ranked 11th in the standings.

Maragh missed four months after breaking his arm in last September’s Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park when his mount, Wicked Strong, clipped heels with Moreno. Under Junior Alvarado, Moreno drifted into the path of Wicked Strong at the 4 1/2-furlong pole. The stewards suspended Alvarado for 15 days.