Del Mar: Espinoza's X-rays negative after Sunday spill

DEL MAR, Calif. - X-rays of jockey Victor Espinoza’s right ankle were negative, and he is expected to ride on Wednesday despite taking a tumble in a three-horse spill in the final race at Del Mar on Sunday, his agent, Brad Pegram, said Monday morning.

“He’s got a little bit of swelling, but the X-rays of the ankle were clean,” Pegram said. “I do think he’ll ride on Wednesday, but I’ll know more [Tuesday].”

Espinoza was taken to nearby Scripps Encinitas Hospital following the accident, which also involved riders Joel Rosario and Martin Pedroza. Rosario, who landed heavily on his back, was reported as “just sore” Monday morning by his agent, Ron Ebanks, who said Rosario would ride on Wednesday.

Pedroza was not injured, his agent, Richard Silverstein, said Monday.

Espinoza was aboard Be Driven, who was midpack in the 12-horse field of $16,000 female claimers when she suffered a catastrophic fracture to her left front fetlock as the field neared the three-furlong mark of the six-furlong race.

Bonita Montana, with Pedroza, collided with Be Driven and fell, dislodging Pedroza, and then Katy’s Kitty, who was near the back of the pack, clipped the fallen Bonita Montana and sent Rosario flying through the air.

Be Driven was euthanized. The other two horses were apparently not seriously injured, track officials said.

Be Driven, a 5-year-old mare trained by Sam Scolamieri, was making her first start since July 2010. She had won once in seven starts. She was the first racing fatality of the meet, which opened on Wednesday.