Woodbine rider breathing on own

Jockey Chad Beckon remained under critical care at a Toronto hospital on Friday after being involved in a spill at Woodbine on Wednesday evening.

Beckon's agent, Tony Esposito, said the rider was still under heavy sedation but was breathing on his own after being taken off a respirator. Esposito added that a CAT scan scheduled for Thursday was canceled because of swelling in Beckon's brain caused by outer cranial bleeding.

Beckon also fractured his cheekbone, nose, and two vertebrae, but Esposito said there was no sign of spinal damage.

Beckon's mount, Oliver's Strike, broke down in Wednesday's third race and was dead when the track veterinarian arrived.