Apprentice jockey Juan Saez, 17, died the night of Oct. 14 due to injuries he sustained in a spill during the eighth race earlier that day at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino.
The Indianapolis Star said Marion County's chief deputy coroner Alfarena Ballew reported the death of Saez, who was airlifted Tuesday from a heliport near the track by Life Flight. He was transported to IU Health Methodist Hospital, where he was treated in the level one trauma center for severe head injuries.
Although details of the incident are being reviewed by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission's board of stewards, it is believed that Montezuma Express, ridden by Saez, clipped heels with the horse in front of him, Paddy's Notes, ridden by Oriana Rossi. As a result of the contact in the turn of the six-furlong optional claiming race, Montezuma Express, a 4-year-old son of Henny Hughes, fell, causing Saez to be unseated. Trailing horse Masaru was unable to avoid the fallen horse and also fell, unseating rider Ricardo Santana Jr.
Masaru was euthanized, according to Indiana Grand. (The track incorrectly initially said Montezuma Express, trained by Rick Hiles for B M H Stable, was euthanized, and issued a correction Oct. 15, saying that was not the case). No other riders were taken to the hospital.
Saez, a native of Panama, was the younger brother of journeyman Luis Saez. Saez had a 2-3-7 record from 26 mounts at the current Keeneland meet for a 46% in-the-money rate. He finished as the leading rider at this year's Ellis Park meet, where he registered 51 wins from 194 starts. He graduated at the top of his class from of the Laffit Pincay Jr. Jockey School in his native country and came to the U.S. in June under the supervision of agent Julio Espinoza.
"There are no words to describe the devastation that we are all feeling," said Terry Meyocks, national manager of the Jockeys' Guild, of which Saez was a member. "Our thought and prayers are with Juan's family during this tragic time."
"Juan was such a talented and sweet kid, with a promising future," said John Velazquez, Guild chairman. "It is like losing a member of the family. We are competing against one another on the track, but off of the track, we are all very close. Since his family was in transit, it gives some comfort knowing that he was surrounded by his fellow riders, his agent, Julio Espinoza, and close friends, when he passed."
"Juan Saez possessed an immense gift for riding horses and there is no telling how bright his future as a jockey would have been. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, as well as the entire tight-knit racing community that supports Indiana Grand," National Thoroughbred Racing Association president and CEO Alex Waldrop said in a statement.
In a separate incident at the top of the stretch at Indiana Grand on Tuesday night, Platitude fell, unseating jockey Marcelino Pedroza. Platitude, a 4-year-old son of Yes It's True trained by Tim Glyshaw for Steve Markwell, Brian McCormick, Fred Bleuel, was euthanized as a result of the fall. Pedroza not was taken to the hospital. Officials believe the two incidents were not related.
Due to two incidents on the track in different locations, the decision was made to cancel the ninth and final race on the program. The track also canceled racing for Oct. 15 due to Saez's death.
According to statistics provided by the Jockeys' Guild, Saez is the 153rd jockey to be killed in a race in North America since 1940. He is the first since Jorge Herrera died from injuries sustained in a July 2012 fall at the Alameda County Fair at Pleasanton in Northern California.
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