Jockey Mario Chavez dies after being thrown from mount

Jockey Mario Chavez died Sunday, a day after being injured in the Pot O’ Gold Futurity for Paints and Appaloosas at Will Rogers Downs near Tulsa, Okla., track and Oklahoma Racing Commission officials confirmed. Chavez was 42.

Chavez was thrown from his mount, Fishin Paint, after the horse hit the rail in the 350-yard race, according to the chart issued by Equibase. The stakes was a Grade 1 worth $81,800.

Chavez was thrown over the rail, according to Amanda Clinton, a spokesperson for Will Rogers.

“He was treated on scene by our emergency medical staff at the track, local paramedics, then was flown via [careflight] to St. John in Tulsa,” Clinton said, referring to a hospital in Oklahoma.

Clinton said Will Rogers canceled the remainder of its races Saturday.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family – and with the entire racing community,” she said Monday. “We can’t express how sad we are for his family, friends and the racing community as a whole.”

Clinton forwarded a Facebook post by Chavez’s son Randy Chavez. It read in part: “So many mixed emotions right now. Today God decided to give my dad his wings and he took his helmet, vest and stick with him. But on the bright side of that, I want all you guys to know that he had his last ride and he passed away doing what he loved . . .

“He’s up there having match races with the one and only Jacky Martin right now!”

Chavez won for the first time on May 30, 2009 at Remington Park, according to Daily Racing Form records. He won 88 races from 854 career starts, with six of his victories coming in stakes. His mounts earned $966,456.

Will Rogers is conducting a meet for Quarter Horses, with some races for Paints and Appaloosas.