Maragh fitted with back brace

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Rajiv Maragh, who suffered serious back injuries when his mount Yourcreditisgood fell during the fifth race July 10 at Belmont Park, was fitted with a back brace after consulting with a specialist in New York on Monday.

“It’s been rough, really rough, since the accident,” said Maragh. “I didn’t have any improvement over the last three weeks, so I went for a second opinion and got a back brace. It’s only the first day, but already I feel a little more comfortable, and I see this as a step forward because it gives me more support for my body.”

Maragh said he has six fractures in his spine with his T5 and T6 vertebrae both compressed.

“I’ll be pretty much confined to my home for the next three months, and there is no time line beyond that regarding my recovery,” said Maragh. “Obviously, it’s really disappointing to miss the Saratoga meet. As a jockey, that’s what you look forward to all year long. But at the moment, my health is my priority, and I’ll just have to take things one day at a time for now.”

The latest injury is Maragh’s second in less than a year. He missed three months after breaking his arm when his mount Wicked Strong clipped heels and fell during the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup last September at Belmont.