Diaz to miss at least two weeks following spill

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Jockey Hector Diaz Jr. will miss a minimum of two weeks due to injuries suffered in a spill Monday at Aqueduct.

Diaz suffered a hairline fracture of a bone in his lower back as well as a fracture behind his ear after his mount Dark N Cloudy, fell near the quarter pole of Monday’s sixth race, unseating Diaz. Dark N Cloudy suffered an injury to his left front ankle and had to be euthanized ontrack.

Shawn Klotz, the agent for Diaz, confirmed the injuries and said that a horse who was trailing Dark N Cloudy struck Diaz.

Klotz said Diaz was released from Jamaica Hospital Monday night. Klotz is hopeful of Diaz can return the second weekend of February.

Diaz has ridden 5 winners from 50 mounts during Aqueduct’s winter meet, which began on Dec. 12. He had won 8 races from 15 mounts at Parx from October through December.