Jump rider Miller KO'd in Spa spill

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Jockey Blythe Miller was knocked unconscious for several minutes but escaped with only minor injuries after her mount, Capeless, fell over the final jump in Wednesday's first race at Saratoga.

Miller, who will turn 34 on Aug. 7, complained of neck pains after regaining consciousness and was immediately taken to Saratoga Hospital, where CAT scans proved negative. She was expected to be kept overnight for observation.

Miller and Capeless had just gained the lead and appeared to be on the way to victory in the about-2 1/16-mile allowance race when Capeless stumbled and fell over the final fence. El Guardaespalda avoided the trouble and went on to win the race under jockey Gus Brown. Capeless did not appear to have been seriously injured in the mishap.

Miller was involved in a similar incident six days earlier, when her mount, the 3-5 favorite Star Tide, stumbled and fell over the same jump in the opening race on last Thursday's program.

A native of Cochranville, Pa., Miller was named champion steeplechase jockey in 1994 and 1995. She is a three-time winner of Saratoga's Grade 1 New York Turf Writers Cup, with Lonesome Glory (1995), Campanile (1999), and It's a Giggle (2001) and is the seventh-winningest rider in steeplechase history.