Gulfstream Park: Arrest made in assault of hotwalker

A backstretch worker at Gulfstream Park has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault for severely injuring a hotwalker during a late-night fight over the weekend.

Enrique Rodriguez is in jail in Broward County after being charged with aggravated assault and tampering with evidence, according to Capt. Pedro Abut, a public information officer for the Hallandale police. According to Abut, Rodriguez claimed that the victim, Transito Salazar, was his uncle. The two were roommates in a Gulfstream dorm.

Salazar suffered severe head injuries because of the assault and was admitted to the hospital on Sunday morning in serious condition. He regained consciousness on Monday, according to his employer, trainer Peter Walder, but has been unable to be questioned yet about the incident.

“It’s just one side of the story, but there was some drinking, and they got into a verbal argument,” Abut said. “Rodriguez then struck Salazar, and attempted to clean up the area.”

Rodriguez has been ordered held in jail without bond because of his immigration status, Abut said.

Earlier reports said Salazar was thought to be injured after falling off a third-story balcony.