Jockey Flores, recovering from spine injury, slated to return home

Jockey Rico Flores, who sustained a cervical spine injury in a Sept. 1 spill at Louisiana Downs and has since been based at a physical therapy facility in New Orleans, is scheduled to return home to Shreveport, La., later this month, according to his longtime girlfriend, Sally Warne.

Warne said Flores has an “incomplete spinal injury” and has been learning to walk again. He can walk with assistance, she said. Warne also said Flores has movement in his hands and at this time is able to lift his arms with assistance. He will have outpatient therapy sessions when he gets back home to Shreveport.

Warne said Flores has made a good deal of progress in therapy.

“I am amazed with what I see day to day with him,” she said.

Friends have set up a “Go Fund Me” account for Flores. He long has been a regular on the circuit in Louisiana. Flores registered his first career win in 1994.