Evangeline Downs: Ortiz on the mend with fractured vertebra, ribs after spill

Jockey Gilbert Ortiz fractured his T-3 vertebra and several ribs in a spill at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, La., last Friday night. He was injured when his mount, Toast to La La, fell in the stretch of an 870-yard overnight turf stakes for Quarter Horses.

Ortiz, 48, was taken to a local hospital immediately following the spill and was released on Monday, said his agent, Cynthia Menard. She said there was no paralysis. Menard said Ortiz was scheduled to see a specialist on Tuesday, near his home in San Antonio.