Jockey Jose Ortiz did not sustain serious injury after he was unseated from Destination Moon at Belmont Park
Rider, Jose Ortiz, suffered a terrible fall but, was spared serious injury when he was unseated from his mount, Destination Moon, in a Claiming Race at Belmont Park on 15th July, 2012, which covered the distance of 5 ½ furlongs.
The accident happened when Destination Moon, trained by Allen Jerkens, clipped heels with another runner.
This incident happened at the half-mile pole, and it was reported that that the runner did not sustain any injuries, but the rider wasn’t that fortunate.
Ortiz was released from the North Shore University Hospital but it’s not certain if he will continue to race. According to the reports of the NYRA Jockey Advocate, the jockey has a bruised lung but the rest of CT Scans and the x-rays are clear.
Mike Gonzalez, Jose Ortiz’s agent told the press that:
"We won't rush into anything." He further elaborated that: "We will find out more from the doctors and go from there."
The talented rider, who is jockey Irad Ortiz’s brother, has managed to notch 44 victories from the 350 races he has competed in.
On 4th July, 2012, Ortiz mounted the Bruce Brown trained, Pique Out, in the Maiden Claimers at Belmont Park and, delivered a solid performance, where he guided the daughter of Flashy Bull to her finish as a runner-up, behind
winner, Private Councel, over the 1 mile course.
Ortiz wasn’t the only rider who was unseated from his mount at Belmont Park. Jockey Cornelio Velasquez was also thrown off his mount, Salsa Mambo.
Cornelio Velasquez did not sustain any injuries but his mount met an ill-fate.
The filly had to be euthanised after she ran around on the track and then crashed through a rail. Her injuries were fatal and she had to be put down.
Velasquez recently led the Linda Rice trained, Take Down Two, to victory in the Claiming Race at Belmont Park on 14th July, 2012.
The duo briskly covered the six furlongs in 1 minute and 09.28 seconds, where they defeated the Richard Dutrow trained, Regal Strike, while Metaurus, finished third.
Tags: