Court breaks hand in Derby Day spill

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Jon Court broke his hand, while fellow jockey Jose Ortiz emerged body sore but otherwise uninjured in a two-horse spill in the 13th and last race of the Kentucky Derby program Saturday at Churchill Downs.

The incident occurred nearing the half-mile pole on the main track, where Canadian Winner, ridden by Court, broke down badly. Appealing Alex was trailing Canadian Winner and could not avoid him, throwing Ortiz.

Court’s agent, Steve Krajcir, said the 53-year-old rider was set to see a specialist Monday and that the initial prognosis was favorable for a relatively quick return to action. “It’s a clean break, and Jon is not in any major pain,” Krajcir said.

Ortiz returned to New York early Sunday and took off his mounts for that day at Belmont Park but is expected back in action Wednesday, said agent Jim Riccio Jr. Ortiz rode Samraat to a fifth-place finish in his first Derby mount.

Canadian Winner, trained by D. Wayne Lukas, had to be euthanized. Appealing Alex, trained by Nick Zito, was vanned off the track. On Monday, Zito said Appealing Alex was not injured in the incident.

Earlier Saturday, an incident in the third race resulted in three jockeys coming off their horses, with Megan Fadlovich incurring the most serious injuries.

Fadlovich, 24, fractured her left kneecap and sustained a cut to her neck but “got out of the hospital and insisted on coming back to watch her first Derby,” said her agent, Perry Pezzarossi.

“She’s a tough kid, for sure,” he said.

Fadlovich was aboard Grand Slam Kid when the horse clipped heels and fell going into the far turn. Ranger Regiment, ridden by Marcelino Pedroza Jr., and Swift Humor, with Jimmy Graham up, could not avoid Grand Slam Kid and threw their riders.

Joe Pauley, the agent for Pedroza, said the jockey was “trying to work the soreness out” and was back to working horses Monday morning. Graham was unhurt.