Funeral is set for Marquis rider

A Muslim funeral service was scheduled to be held Wednesday in Philadelphia for jockey Isiah Sala, who died from injuries suffered during a spill last Sunday at Marquis Downs in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Sala, 23, was the leading rider at Marquis Downs.

The StarPhoenix, a Saskatoon daily, reported that eight of Sala's relatives and his girlfriend, 18-year-old Cassie Parker, traveled from Philadelphia to Saskatoon on Monday.

Sala has family in the Middle East, including his parents and two of his three younger brothers, who live in Jerusalem.

"I knew every time he got on a horse that he was taking a chance of getting hurt, but that's what he loved to do," said Parker, who had spent much of the season in Canada with Sala before returning to Philadelphia on Aug. 10.

A memorial service will be held Thursday at Marquis Downs.