Saratoga: Exercise rider critical after morning spill

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Raymond Bulgado, an exercise rider employed by trainer Nick Zito, was listed in critical condition in the trauma intensive care unit at Albany Medical Center with undisclosed injuries Monday following a spill during training hours.

Bulgado was working a horse, Ricochet Court, in company with another horse on the Oklahoma turf course when Bulgado's horse broke down badly in his forelegs approaching the quarter pole. Bulgado lay motionless on the turf for several minutes before the ambulance was able to get to him. Ricochet Court, a 3-year-old gelding by Doneraile Court, was euthanized.

Bulgado was taken off the course on a stretcher and initially taken to Saratoga Hospital. He was later airlifted to Albany Medical Center.

A visibly upset Zito would only confirm late Monday afternoon that Bulgado was at Albany Medical Center, but he would not confirm the types of injuries the rider sustained.

"I love the kid. He's getting the best care possible thanks to John [Hendrickson] and Marylou [Whitney] and the wonderful people at Albany Med," Zito said at his barn. "I have to respect the family's privacy. His mom's in Puerto Rico."

Turf training was suspended for the remainder of Monday's session following the incident.