Simington seriously injured in spill at Delta Downs

Jockey Don Simington sustained the most serious injuries in a Thursday night spill at Delta Downs in which three other riders were also thrown from their mounts. Simington broke an arm and ribs and cracked a vertebra, his pelvis, and a shoulder in the incident, according to Don Stevens, a spokesman for Delta.

Simington, Gerardo Mora, and Carlos Marquez were all transported to a local hospital on Thursday night, while Luis Batista emerged from the incident without serious injury. Mora and Marquez were released from the hospital Thursday night and on Friday morning were experiencing body soreness, said Stevens.

Simington has been transported to a larger hospital in Alexandria, La., said Stevens.

Simington’s mount, the 4-5 favorite Aut’s Maria, was on the lead in the $10,000 claiming race for fillies and mares when she broke down and fell. It was a chain reaction spill. Aut’s Maria was euthanized, confirmed Stevens.