Kentucky Derby: Injury will keep Alvarado off Caddo River

Junior Alvarado will be out at least a week and Pablo Fragoso is out indefinitely due to injuries suffered by the two jockeys in a spill Thursday at Belmont Park.

Alvarado was diagnosed with a concussion that not only forced him to take off mounts this weekend at Belmont Park but will cost him the rides on several prominent stakes horses scheduled to run next weekend at Churchill Downs. It will also cost Alvarado the chance to ride Caddo River in the Kentucky Derby. Trainer Brad Cox said that Alvarado was “at the top of the list” of riders he was considering to ride the expected pacesetter in the Derby. Cox said Saturday he does not yet have a rider.

Among Alvarado’s scheduled rides at Churchill were Paris Lights in the Grade 1, $500,000 La Troienne, Dayoutoftheoffice in the Grade 2, $300,000 Eight Belles for 3-year-old fillies on dirt, and Annex in the Grade 2, $500,000 American Turf for 3-year-old colts.

Mike Sellitto, Alvarado's agent, said the jockey was expected to see his doctor again Thursday to get further guidance on when he could return.

Meanwhile, Fragoso suffered a broken right wrist, a concussion and lost two teeth as the result of Thursday’s spill.

Alvarado was aboard Sport Model, who clipped heels with another horse and fell nearing the top of the stretch of Thursday’s last race, a maiden claimer on turf. Undetectable, under Manny Franco, collided with Sport Model, but Franco was able to get up and walk off under his own power. He rode Friday. Fragoso was aboard Sailor’s Treasure, who collided with Undetectable. All three horses were reported to be okay.

Fragoso said he only remembers waking up in the hospital. He said a scan detected two bruises, but no bleeding on his brain. Following a second scan, Fragoso said doctors consented to released him from the hospital shortly after 2 a.m. Friday.

Fragoso said he was scheduled to see a specialist on Monday to determine if surgery would be needed to repair his wrist, which had been placed in a splint.

Fragoso said he lost one tooth on each side of his mouth.

“I can still smile,” he said Friday afternoon.

Fragoso said he was looking forward to the Monmouth Park meet, where he is expected to ride frequently for trainer Wayne Potts, who will have a large number of horses based at the Jersey Shore track.

“I have a lot of good business with him,” Fragoso said.

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