Jockey Deshawn Parker injured in pre-race accident

Veteran jockey Deshawn Parker sustained serious injuries in a pre-race accident Tuesday at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Parker’s pelvis was fractured in four places, his tailbone broken in two places when his mount in the eighth race on Tuesday, Dabney, spooked, reared, flipped, and landed on Parker. Parker’s agent, Jimmy McInerney, said the filly landed on Parker, rolled back across him, and then stepped on Parker as she got to her feet.

Parker had successful surgery Wednesday, McInerny said, and is expected to make a full recovery, though there is no timetable for his return to riding.

Parker, 52, began race-riding in 1988 and is among the winning-most jockeys ever, his 6,123 victories the 18th highest total in North American racing history.

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