Four jockeys taken to hospital for observation after seven-horse spill

DEL MAR, Calif. – Jockeys Tyler Baze, Emily Ellingwood, Cesar Ortega, and Tiago Pereira were taken to a local hospital for precautionary observations after a frightening seven-horse spill in Sunday’s seventh race at Del Mar.

None of the horses involved in the incident appeared to suffer injuries, according to a track official.

The race was declared a no-contest by stewards Grant Baker, Luis Jauregui, and Kim Sawyer. In the decision, they cited a California Horse Racing Board rule that states “stewards may declare a race no contest if mechanical failure or interference during the running of the race affects the majority of horses in such race.”

Baze, Ellingwood, and Ortega were transported by ambulance. Baze was complaining of shoulder pain, according to his agent, Jack Carava. Ellingwood was undergoing treatment on a shoulder and being evaluated for a possible concussion, according to her agent, Fernando Navarro.

Pereira was taken to the hospital slightly later by private car for an examination of a hip, according to a track spokesman.

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Pereira and Ortega were undergoing X-rays as of early evening, according to their agent, Patty Sterling.

The incident occurred as the field neared the three-eighths pole during a $20,000 claiming race for maidens at six furlongs.

Sassy Chasey, ridden by Diego Herrera, was running in third place when he clipped heels with Katie’s Paradise, who was disputing the pace.

Sassy Chasey fell, unseating Herrera. Whiskey Blue (ridden by Kyle Frey) fell, as did Corners Up (Juan Espinoza), Phoenix Tears (Pereira), and Renegade Princess (Baze). Backtoflash (Ortega) and Siena Silk (Ellingwood) unseated their riders who were farther back in the field.

Of the 12 runners in the race, five finished. Some of the horses without riders continued at the back of the field while a few others ran down the backstretch before they were caught.

With several jockeys receiving medical attention on the track, Espinoza, Frey, Herrera, and Pereira walked across the infield and back to the jockey’s room.

The incident occurred a day after Pereira rode Tripoli to a win in the $1 million Pacific Classic on Saturday, the rider’s first Grade 1 win in the United States.