Geroux sidelined with broken sternum following training accident

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Jockey Florent Geroux has been sidelined indefinitely after being diagnosed with a broken sternum suffered in a Sunday morning training accident at Keeneland.

Geroux was breezing Air Strike on the main track when the 4-year-old colt suddenly fell nearing the wire. Geroux was thrown hard to the ground and was subsequently transported to the nearby University of Kentucky Medical Center. Air Strike was not seriously injured.

“I had a bad fall working a horse this morning,” Geroux posted Sunday night on his Twitter account. “Thank god it wasn’t worse and the horse is ok too.”

The exact duration of Geroux’s layoff is not yet known, although it could be two to three months, depending on the severity of the injury. Geroux typically winters at Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

Geroux, 33, has become a top rider in North America, competing mostly in Kentucky, with more than $91 million in mount earnings since he began riding in the U.S. in 2007. In 2018, his mounts earned more than $21 million, a career high.

◗ Javier Castellano missed the last eight days of the 2019 Keeneland spring meet, yet nearly won the riding title after building a big lead. That scenario is repeating itself, as Castellano will miss five of the last six Keeneland cards while riding back in New York.

The last three days at Keeneland for Castellano will be this Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, according to his agent, John Panagot. He tops the standings with 12 wins, two more than Jose Ortiz, who will ride here through Friday before also returning to New York.

◗ Morticia bumped past the seven-figure earnings mark by finishing second in her final career start here Friday, the Grade 3 Franklin County. The 5-year-old mare retires with earnings of $1,019,669 from 26 starts.

Morticia was co-bred by her trainer, Rusty Arnold, with longtime client G. Watts Humphrey, her owner.

◗ Steve Penrod, the retired trainer now working as a racing official at Keeneland and Churchill Downs, was wearing a checked plaid suitcoat Saturday on the 35th anniversary of his victory in the inaugural QE II in 1984 with Sintra.

“I’m pretty sure it’s the same coat I wore that day,” said a smiling Penrod.

◗ Jockey Chantal Sutherland has hired Alex Foley, the son of trainer Greg Foley, as her new agent.