Golden Gate: CT scan shows no fractures for Frey

Doctors at Highland Hospital in Oakland, Calif., revised their initial diagnosis that jockey Kyle Frey had suffered fractures to his left leg and right arm after being unseated by his mount, Pure Comedy, in Saturday’s fifth race at Golden Gate Fields.

Frey underwent a CT scan following the original X-rays that suggested the fractures. The CT scan showed the 24-year-old Frey, who won the 2011 Eclipse Award as the nation’s outstanding apprentice rider, had suffered hematomas and crush injuries to the muscles covering his femur and humerus.

Golden Gate track physician Dr. David Seftel explained the misdiagnosis.

“Severe crush injuries can often obscure bones when viewed by plain X-rays, particularly if overlying dirt is involved,” he said. “Therefore, it took a read by an experienced radiologist to make the final determination.”

Frey is third in the Golden Gate jockeys’ standings with 23 wins.