Francisco Torres has surgery for fractured vertebra

Jockey Francisco Torres underwent successful surgery to fuse a fractured C-6 vertebra in his spine Thursday night in New Orleans, according to his agent, Derek Ducoing.

Torres fractured the vertebra and his tailbone as a consequence of a bad spill in race 6 Thursday at Fair Grounds. Torres's mount, Aaron of Goshen, broke down before the half-mile pole and was struck by a trailing horse, Zarby's Derby Day. It's unclear whether Torres also was struck by the trailing horse, whose jockey, Marcelino Pedroza, also went down but reportedly did not sustain serious injury.

Torres was taken to University Medical Center after complaining of neck pain and was found with a spinal fracture at the base of his neck. Torres, according to his agent, was alert and talking and had movement in all his limbs.

Torres, 48, is a native of Chicago whose career began in 1986. Torres has ridden nearly 3,200 winners.