Panici sustains broken ribs in spill

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Jockey Luca Panici will be sidelined for at least the next several weeks after his mount, Mrs. Miniver, collapsed from an apparent heart attack and crashed into the inner rail shortly after the start of Friday’s fourth race. Panici suffered two broken ribs as a result of the incident, according to his agent, Kevin Meyocks.

“He had no warning,” Meyocks said. “The horse had a heart attack. He’s really lucky he wasn’t hurt a lot worse, all things considered.”

This is the third time in the last six months that Panici has had to sit out due to injuries incurred during a race. Panici is the regular rider for leading Kentucky Derby prospect Sole Volante.

“First it was a broken foot, then a broken collarbone, now this,” Meyocks said. “The doctor said there’s little he can do with this type of injury other than to wait it out and come back when he feels right. Hopefully, within the next two to three weeks.”

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., who returned from a one-month hiatus from the saddle to win four races on Saturday’s card, was lucky to escape serious injury when he fell from Ournationonparade, who clipped heels and stumbled during the running of Sunday’s main event. Ironically, Ortiz was a replacement for Panici, who was originally named aboard Ournationonparade by trainer Kathy Ritvo.

“Irad said his neck was a little stiff and he was a little sore but that he was okay when I spoke with him that evening,” said agent Steve Rushing. “And he fully expected to be back riding when racing resumes on Thursday.”