Bailey breaks wrist, out a month

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Jerry Bailey, the seven-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey, will miss the next four weeks because of a fractured wrist, his agent, Ron Anderson, said Wednesday.

According to Anderson, Bailey fell off a ladder at his south Florida home while putting up storm windows in anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Frances. Before the fall, Bailey was already planning to take off his mounts Thursday after taking off his three rides on Wednesday to evacuate his family from that area. Bailey was listed to ride five horses on Friday, including Del Mar Show in the Troy Stakes.

"They put him in a cast up to his elbow, and he's going to miss four weeks," Anderson said. "Right now, we're targeting the week of the Jockey Club Gold Cup.''

Bailey celebrated his 47th birthday on Sunday, guiding Lady Tak to victory in the Grade 1 Ballerina Handicap. It was his 29th and final win of the Saratoga meet, where he is third in the standings. Earlier this meet, Bailey became the all-time winningest rider in Saratoga history, surpassing Angel Cordero Jr.

Last year, Bailey set a North American record for purse money won with $23,354,960 and stakes races won with 70. He won his fourth straight Eclipse Award.

This year, Bailey has 133 wins from 577 mounts. Bailey is second in the country in purse money won with $12,537,970, trailing Edgar Prado by $160,000.