Boyd making more progress

Josh Boyd, who fractured his skull and ribs in a spill at Sunland Park on Jan. 30, was listed in guarded but stable condition Wednesday, according to officials with Thomason Hospital in El Paso, Texas.

Boyd, 29, underwent brain surgery as a result of the injuries. He has since been brought out of an induced coma.

Glen Murphy, a fellow rider and a Jockeys' Guild representative at Sunland, visits Boyd often, but received his most recent update on the rider's conditions from friends of Boyd's.

"They said he's said a few words, and is responding to everybody," said Murphy. "They asked him to hold up two fingers, and he held up two fingers. He said something about moving his car, which is good because he needed to."

Murphy said a fund for Boyd's hospital bills has been set up through the Racetrack Chaplaincy program at Sunland. Donations can be sent to: Homestretch Church, Josh Boyd Fund, 1200 Futurity Drive, Sunland Park, N.M., 88063.

Murphy also said a fund-raising dinner-dance for Boyd will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 23 at Sunland, in the track's Signature Room.