Cohen unhurt after spill at Churchill

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Jockey David Cohen escaped serious injury Sunday at Churchill when his mount, Magic Star, abruptly jumped into the inner hedge of the turf course heading into the clubhouse turn.

Magic Star, a Grade 3 winner last year for the Don Alberto Stable and trainer Chad Brown, was racing in midpack alongside the hedge in the eighth race when she made the bizarre leap. No other horses or riders were affected.

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“Cohen said she just jumped,” said Brown’s local assistant, Whit Beckman. “She wasn’t under any pressure – just jumped.”

Magic Star had never done anything similar in her five prior starts. The 4-year-old filly was under close observation Monday morning at Churchill.

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“She’s able to stand,” Beckman said. “Walking is a challenge, but we’re hopeful she’s just super-sore and nothing’s broken from the tumble.”

Magic Star was the 2-1 second choice in the 1 1/16-mile allowance. The race was won easily by Brown’s other starter in the race, Catch a Bid, the 8-5 favorite.

Cohen, 35, has undergone numerous highs and lows in a riding career that began in 2004 and included a 3 1/2-year hiatus (2014-17). He has 1,506 career wins.

Brown, the four-time reigning Eclipse champion trainer, has had a strong meet when racing regularly at Churchill for the first time, winning with 8 of 24 starters.