Former jockey Pezua hospitalized with broken vertebrae

Former jockey Julio Pezua suffered two fractured vertebrae and other injuries in a spill at Belmont Park on April 2 and remains hospitalized.

Pezua was working Five Alarm Robin, a 6-year-old mare, for trainer Linda Rice when that horse suffered a fatal cardiovascular collapse, fell while galloping out, and unseated Pezua.

Pezua was transported to Winthrop Hospital, where on April 3 he underwent surgery in which he had a screw inserted into his neck to repair two fractured vertebrae, according to Rice. Rice added that Pezua had feeling in his arms, “but they weren’t that mobile.” She said Pezua’s legs were mobile.

Pezua, 65, rode regularly in the U.S. from 1985-2013. He is listed as having ridden two horses in 2018. He won 1,316 races in his career including the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap on Dixie Brass in 1992, the Grade 1 Manhattan in 1987 on Silver Voice, and the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth in 1986 on Ensign Rhythm. He has been working the last few years as an exercise rider for Rice.

A Gofundme page to help with medical costs has been established by horse owner Aron Yagoda.