Jockey Figueroa escapes serious injury in spill

DEL MAR, Calif. – Apprentice jockey Heriberto Figueroa, who tied for the riding title at the Los Alamitos summer meeting last month, escaped serious injury when he was unseated from his mount shortly after the start of Wednesday’s eighth race at Del Mar.

Figueroa was expected to miss his mounts Thursday, according to his agent, Nelson Arroyo, who said the 18-year-old jockey sustained a sore foot in the fall. Figueroa was taken to a local hospital for precautionary examination Wednesday evening, Arroyo said.

Figueroa was aboard Joejoe’s Kingdom, who jumped a temporary rail on the backstretch after the start of a six-furlong race. Joejoe’s Kingdom (11-1) ran loose after the incident and was caught by an outrider.

Through Wednesday, Figueroa was fourth in the standings at the meeting with 18 wins, 10 fewer than leader Drayden Van Dyke. Figueroa was scheduled to start a three-day suspension on Sunday for a recent riding infraction, but Arroyo said the penalty has been appealed.