Bejarano out indefinitely with multiple injuries

ARCADIA, Calif. - Jockey Rafael Bejarano, the leading rider in Southern California, faces an undetermined period away from racing after sustaining breaks to his collarbone, a rib, and both of his shoulder blades in a one-horse spill at Santa Anita on Saturday.

Joe Ferrer, Bejarano’s agent, said in a text on Sunday morning that he was waiting to hear from doctors about Bejarano’s recovery period. The jockey is likely to face several months on the sidelines. His absence will lead to widespread changes in the jockey standings in Southern California.

Since arriving in Southern California in late 2007, Bejarano, 32, has won 18 riding titles at Del Mar, Hollywood Park, and Santa Anita. Bejarano won the riding title at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting that ended on April 20, recording 93 wins. Joe Talamo was second with 54 wins.

Bejarano swept the titles at the five race meetings at Del Mar, Hollywood Park, and Santa Anita in 2013. He finished in a tie for first with Edwin Maldonado with 51 wins at the Hollywood Park spring-summer meeting last year.

Maldonado is the last rider to beat Bejarano for a title. At the 2012 autumn meeting at Hollywood Park, Maldonado had 25 wins, one more than Bejarano.

The current spring-summer meeting at Santa Anita continues through June 29. With Bejarano likely to be out until summertime, riders such as Talamo, Maldonado, Tyler Baze, and apprentice Drayden Van Dyke will have additional mounts.

Through Saturday, Talamo led the standings with 13 wins, two more than Bejarano and three more than Baze. Van Dyke was fourth with 9 wins, two more than Maldonado.

Bejarano was injured in Saturday’s fourth race when Gameboy Luke broke down in a maiden race on the hillside turf course. Gameboy Luke, the 6-5 favorite, was racing in second as the field approached the main track when he suffered a leg injury. Gameboy Luke was euthanized, according to track stewards.

Bejarano fell heavily on his right shoulder in the spill. He was taken to nearby Huntington Hospital, where he will remain for a few days, according to Santa Anita officials.

Through Saturday, Bejarano ranked fifth in the nation in money earnings, with $4.9 million.