Leading rider Baze hurt in spill

DEL MAR, Calif. - Michael Baze, the leading rider at Del Mar, was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla for precautionary X-rays after being thrown from his mount Lyrical Sound, who broke down badly near the wire in the first race at Del Mar on Sunday.

According to track officials, Baze was to have X-rays taken of his leg. Baze was removed from the turf course on a back board after having his neck placed in a brace.

Lyrical Sound broke down inside the sixteenth pole while racing in third place. After passing the wire, Baze tumbled over Lyrical Sound's head, and it appeared he was grazed by the filly after he fell.

Lyrical Sound, who had a gruesome injury to her left front leg that likely was to require her being euthanized, was one of two horses who were injured in the 1 1/16-mile turf race. Mohawk was pulled up on the first turn. Track officials said she had a possible condylar fracture to her right front leg.