Jockey Ore in induced coma after spill at Calder

MIAMI -- Jockey Zarella Ore remains in critical condition in Hollywood Memorial Hospital with head injuries suffered during the running of Friday’s sixth race at Calder Race Course.

According to her close friend, trainer Walter Rosas Canessa, Ore was placed in an induced coma after suffering bleeding on the brain as a result of the incident.

“The doctors were encouraged this morning because the bleeding had stopped and they were hopeful Zarella might start waking up and come out of the coma within the next 24 hours,” said Canessa on Saturday.

Canessa said Ore also suffered several facial fractures as a result of her fall.

Ore was aboard Pop’s Gem for trainer Pedro Sobarzo in Friday’s sixth race, a 5 ½-furlong starter allowance race for fillies and mares. Pop’s Gem disputed the pace from along the rail while pressed throughout by three rivals to her outside. Pop’s Gem was beginning to drop back slightly from the leaders turning for home when the 6-5 favorite, Desirable Lady, racing widest of all, began to lug in, initiating a chain reaction that led to Pop’s Gem going down just inside the eighth pole.

Desirable Lady finished second and was ultimately disqualified and placed last following a steward’s inquiry.