Ferndale: Garcia remains hospitalized with broken vertebrae, rib

Matt Garcia will not need immediate surgery but remains hospitalized after suffering multiple fractures from a sixth-race spill at the Humboldt County Fair in Ferndale, Calif., on Sunday, according to track publicity director Ellis Davis. Garcia fractured two vertebrae in his neck, the C5 and C6, and two lumbar vertebrae, the L7 and L8, and also broke a rib.

Garcia fell after his mount, the odds-on favorite Madison Shore, drifted out on the first turn. Garcia was unseated when Madison Shore made contact with Imasassytwo. Garcia appeared to get clipped by Imasassytwo’s rear legs, but was able to get up and move to safety under the inside rail.

After being taken to Redwood Memorial Hospital in nearby Fortuna, Garcia was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital where the full extent of his injuries was discovered.

Davis said that Garcia remains in great pain and will undergo further tests at the Santa Rosa hospital.

Garcia, 43, had won three races earlier Sunday. He is the defending riding champion at Ferndale and had won seven races during the meet’s first four days.