Nakatani to have back surgery

DEL MAR, Calif. – Jockey Corey Nakatani will undergo back surgery within two weeks and will be sidelined for two months following an accident on Saturday at Del Mar, his son and agent, Matt Nakatani, said Tuesday.

“He has a herniated disc that’s up against the spinal cord,” Matt Nakatani said. “He needs this to get back to normal.”

Matt Nakatani said much of the surgery is “to go in and clean up a previous injury.”

Corey Nakatani, 47, was injured on Saturday when his mount, Irish Spring, appeared to clip the heels of Aussie Fox, who drifted into the path of Irish Spring in upper stretch on the turf course.

Nakatani was diagnosed with a herniated disc and severe cervical stenosis. He was hospitalized on Saturday night but released Sunday morning and has returned to his home near Santa Anita.