Belmont jockey critical after spill

Jockey Andrew Lakeman was listed in critical condition at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y., on Friday after sustaining head trauma in a spill at Belmont Park.

"He's pretty bad," said trainer Allen Jerkens, for whom Lakeman has worked as an exercise rider the last few years.

Jockey Norberto Arroyo Jr., who was also involved in the spill, broke his left collarbone and was kept at North Shore overnight.

Lakeman was hurled to the Belmont turf hard after his mount, Our Montana Dream, clipped heels with Irish Senorita around the far turn of Belmont's fourth race, a maiden turf event. Lakeman lay motionless while being attended to by paramedics. He was taken off the turf on a stretcher and transported by ambulance to North Shore.

Lakeman is a 32-year-old native of England, who according to Daily Racing Form statistics rode 7 winners from 181 mounts after beginning his North American career in 2000. Lakeman had some success for Jerkens in 2005 riding subsequent stakes winners Swap Fliparoo and Miss Shop to their maiden victories. Lakeman won the 2005 Huntington Stakes on Saint Daimon for Jerkens.

Meanwhile, Arroyo, 30, was injured when his mount, Lady Alice, fell over Our Montana Dream. Arroyo also hit the ground hard. He attempted to get up, and eventually was taken off the turf on a stretch, in a sitting up position.