Brimo upgraded to serious

Jockey Julia Brimo, who suffered head and back injuries in a spill at Keeneland on Oct. 30, was upgraded Friday from critical to serious condition by the University of Kentucky Medical Center, according to a release from Keeneland.

Brimo had back surgery earlier this week to reduce pressure on her vertebrae.

Doc Danner, a jockey agent and friend who saw her in the intensive care earlier in the week, said Monday that Brimo has movement in her legs and was responsive to visitors by nodding and squeezing their hands.

Officials at Kentucky Medical Center could not be reached for comment on Friday. The hospital has a policy of releasing only a patient's general condition.

An Ontario native, Brimo, 33, won a Sovereign Award as the top apprentice jockey in Canada in 2003, when she rode 75 winners. Since beginning her career in 2001, Brimo has won with 163 of 1,612 mounts.