Saez has dislocated collarbone; will not ride Mage in Travers
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Jockey Luis Saez suffered a dislocated right collarbone and slight fracture of his left wrist as the result of a spill in which he was involved during the running of Wednesday’s $135,000 John’s Call Stakes at Saratoga, according to his agent Kiaran McLaughlin.
It was not immediately known how much time he will miss.
Saez had been booked to ride Kentucky Derby winner Mage in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes, but will definitely miss that assignment. Flavien Prat has been named as Saez's replacement aboard Mage.
In the John’s Call, Saez was aboard Burning Bright when that horse suffered a fatal cardiovascular episode entering the clubhouse turn, and crashed through the temporary rail on the Mellon turf course, flipped over the bushes and landed on the inner turf course.
Saez, 31, appeared to land on his right side and tumbled into the bushes. He lay just outside those bushes for several minutes while being attended to by Emergency Medical Services personnel, who carried him off the course on a stretcher.
Saez was taken by ambulance to Albany Medical Center where he was diagnosed with the injuries.
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Saez was back at Saratoga after winning three stakes at Parx on Tuesday, including the Grade 3, $300,000 Smarty Jones on Il Miracolo.
When Saez guided Arzak ($37) to an upset victory in Wednesday’s third race, it was his 30th win of the Saratoga meet. Only Irad Ortiz Jr. (42) has won more races here this summer.
In addition to picking up the mount on Mage, Saez on Saturday was named to ride Pipeline in the Grade 1 Forego, One in Vermillion in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens, and Dr B in the Grade 1 Ballerina.
In 2023, Saez ranks second in wins (191) and purse money won ($17,124,969), trailing only Irad Ortiz Jr. in both categories.
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