Cabrera suffers injuries to spine and face in spill, will be out for rest of meet

Oaklawn Park leading rider David Cabrera will likely miss the remainder of the meet and the early part of the Lone Star Park season due to injuries sustained in a Friday spill, agent Jose Santos Jr., said Saturday.

Cabrera hit the ground hard after being thrown from his fallen mount in the first race, and remained in St. Vincent Hospital in Hot Springs, Ark., on Saturday morning. Santos said more has been learned about the extent of Cabrera’s injuries as his ability to communicate improved overnight and he was able to identify areas of pain.

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Santos said the rider has a compressed C-5 and C-6 vertebrae, but has full movement in all of his extremities. The facial bones in his cheeks were crushed due to the impact of hitting the ground, which led to a concussion. The rider also had internal bleeding Friday night, but it has stopped and there is no swelling in the brain, Santos said Saturday.

Santos said no surgery is required for the compressed vertebrae and surgery would be elective on the cheek bones. He said the rider is expected to be discharged in the near future.

Apprentice Chel-c Bailey also was unseated in the incident near the top of the stretch, but she escaped injury and returned to ride later on Friday’s card.

Both horses involved walked off.

Cabrera leads the Oaklawn standings with 62 wins from 371 mounts through Friday, according to statistics from Oaklawn. Francisco Arrieta ranks second in the standings with 49 wins and Ricardo Santana Jr. is third with 47.

Oaklawn is racing through May 8. Lone Star opens on April 28.