Tyler Baze sidelined with cracked ribs

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Jockey Tyler Baze will be out two to four weeks after suffering three cracked ribs and a hairline fracture of his right shoulder in a one-horse spill Friday at Hollywood Park.

Baze was riding the maiden filly Pink Diamond in the fourth race, a six-furlong turf race, when she ducked in yards past the wire and unseated him. He landed on the temporary railing, laid motionless for several minutes, then was transported by ambulance to nearby Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood for X-rays.

Baze was released from the hospital Friday evening, agent Ronnie Ebanks said. Ebanks said doctors told Baze he will need "two to four weeks" to recover. Baze was scheduled for a re-examination Saturday.

The injury could not have happened at a worse time for Baze, the second leading rider at the Hollywood fall meet with 23 wins from 124 mounts. One of his best mounts running in a major stakes next weekend.

Baze was scheduled to ride the promising 2-year-old filly Alpha Kitten, the likely favorite in the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet on Dec. 13.

Alpha Kitten worked six furlongs Saturday at Santa Anita in 1:12.40 under exercise rider Dana Barnes. The filly's trainer, John Sadler, said Mike Smith would ride Alpha Kitten in the Starlet. Jerry and Ann Moss own Alpha Kitten.