Exercise rider pinned under horse in training accident

DEL MAR, Calif. – Jockey Amir Cedeno was injured Tuesday morning at Del Mar when the 3-year-old colt Eddie’s First inexplicably collapsed just past the finish line during a routine training gallop, pinning Cedeno under the horse until assistance arrived.

Once freed, Cedeno complained of pain in his shoulder and was taken to Scripps La Jolla Hospital to be evaluated.

Late Tuesday night, Cedeno phoned and said he would remain in the hospital overnight awaiting results of MRIs taken on both an ankle and his shoulder. He said he thought his ankle was fine but was worried about his shoulder. He also said he was temporarily knocked unconscious when Eddie’s First hit the ground.

Cedeno broke his pelvis in a horrible spill at Hollywood Park in November 1991.

Eddie’s First was kept calm and eventually got to his feet and walked fine, bearing weight on all four limbs. For precautionary measures, he was taken by ambulance back to the barn of his trainer, Doug O’Neill, where assistant Jack Sisterson said Eddie’s First appeared to be in good condition.

Eddie’s First is entered in the $200,000 Real Good Deal Stakes on Friday at Del Mar. He has won once in seven starts. He most recently finished last of seven in the Los Alamitos Derby, which was won by Shared Belief. His most recent workout came last Friday, when he went a half-mile here on Polytrack in 48.20 seconds.

When Eddie’s First initially went down, his hind legs where under his hindquarters, and there was fear that he had injured a hind leg. Trainers Richard and Gary Mandella and Phil D’Amato were among those who quickly rushed onto the track to steady Eddie’s First and prevent him from thrashing about until paramedics arrived and Cedeno could be extricated.

Minutes later, both horse and rider were on their feet, but both were taken from the course in ambulances.

Cedeno, 41, rides races sparingly these days, mostly working as an exercise rider. He has won once in 12 mounts this year, and the last time he rode in a race was July 10 at Los Alamitos. He won with just 1 of 21 mounts last year. Cedeno’s best year came in 2002, when he won 66 races. He has won 685 races lifetime.

Cedeno is a sought-after work rider. Earlier this year, he was the regular workout rider for Dance With Fate, who won the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes and was recently euthanized after a training accident.