Eibar Coa update: Injured jockey to leave hospital

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Jockey Eibar Coa, who suffered a broken neck in a spill following the conclusion of the sixth race here on Feb. 18 that initially left him with limited movement from the neck down, will be released from Memorial Regional Hospital South on Thursday.

Coa will leave Memorial Regional “walking,” according to a press release distributed by the hospital on Wednesday.

VIDEO: Eibar Coa takes first steps since riding accident

After two neurosurgeries and extensive rehabilitation, doctors and his team of therapists call Coa’s recovery “miraculous” hospital officials said.

Dr. Scott Berta, a neurosurgeon, and Dr. Alan Novick, director of rehabilitation services for the Memorial Healthcare System, will be on hand at the hospital to respond to media questions about Coa’s recovery when the veteran rider leaves the facility at 1:30 p.m.

Coa has left Memorial Regional once since the accident, to attend a charity golf tournament held in his honor on March 29 at the Woodmont Country Club in Tamarac. Coa arrived at the golf club by car accompanied by his wife, Rebeca, and was able to leave his wheelchair and take several steps to the applause of his friends and colleagues in attendance that afternoon.

Coa, 40, who won the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Sprint aboard Big Drama, said at that time his goal was to be able to ride races again.

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