One of the jockey twins hurt in spill

[Moonwalker]

From Arlington Park website:

http://www.arlingtonpark.com/news/archi ... ace-mishap

Apprentice Jockey Michael Straight Taken to Hospital Following Eighth Race Mishap

by David Zenner | August 26, 2009

"Apprentice jockey Michael Straight was taken to Lutheran General Hospital following an incident in the eighth race Wednesday at Arlington Park.

Straight, 24, was riding Im No Genetleman in the mile and a sixteenth race when his mount appeared to have clipped heels with another horse in the vicinity of the quarter pole and the rider fell to the track.

Straight was tended to by track paramedics and after being stabilized was transported to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge for further evaluation.

Hospital officials indicated that his vital signs were good and that after being checked for head and back injuries that the rider would likely undergo surgery to stabilize the back sometime in the next 24 hours.

Straight's parents and twin brother Matthew, who is also a jockey, are en route to Chicago to be with the rider through his recovery.

Further information will be made available as it is received from the rider's family."

*********************

He and his twin brother went to the North American Racing Academy in Kentucky.

Mary MMM

[ScrapingThePaint]

Another article from DRF:

http://www.drf.com/news/article/106720.html

Arlington | Posted 8/27/2009, 11:37 am
Apprentice Michael Straight may be paralyzed
By Marty McGee
Apprentice rider Michael Straight possibly has been left paralyzed in his lower body after being seriously injured when his mount fell in the eighth and final race Wednesday at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, Ill.

A friend who was with Straight and his family until late in the night at Luther General Hospital in Park Ridge, Ill., said doctors treating the 24-year-old rider informed them that Straight had suffered four fractured vertebrae. The friend, speaking on condition of anonymity, said family and friends were told to "pray for the best but expect the worst" and that the prognosis for Straight being able to walk again was "very grim."

It was initially feared that Straight might have suffered major head or brain trauma, but by Thursday morning, doctors were optimistic that was not the case, according to the friend. Straight was scheduled to undergo surgery and further evaluation of his spinal condition Thursday morning. The initial prognosis was that Straight would continue to have use of his upper body.

Further details were unavailable early Thursday. Arlington spokesman Dave Zenner and Straight's agent, Michelle Barsotti, both declined comment, citing privacy issues and deference to Straight's family. Zenner said officials at the Churchill Downs Inc.-owned track hoped to issue a media release at some point Thursday.

Straight, 24, was injured in the 1 1/16-mile Polytrack race when his mount, Im No Gentleman, fell suddenly when appearing to clip the heels of Conte Ridge nearing the quarter pole. Im No Gentleman, a 3-year-old gelding bred and owned by Jay Collier and trained by Clayton Pierce, was racing near the back of the pack of the $10,000 maidens when the spill occurred. Im No Gentleman died as a result of the accident. There were no other horses or jockeys seriously injured.

Straight graduated last year from the North American Riding Academy, the school founded and operated in Lexington, Ky., by retired Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron. He is the identical twin brother of jockey Matthew Straight, who graduated from the McCarron riding academy one year earlier and has been riding lately at Ellis Park in Kentucky.

The Straight brothers grew up in East Greenbush, N.Y., and became interested in the sport by attending the races at nearby Saratoga. Michael won with the first mount of his career on March 6 at Tampa Bay Downs. In all, he has ridden 39 winners from 372 mounts, with 23 of his wins coming at Arlington.

Arlington chairman Richard Duchossois arranged for a charter jet to fly the twins' parents to be with Michael on Wednesday night. Matthew was driven by a friend from Kentucky to be with his brother.

The spill was the second at the Arlington meet that resulted in severe injury. Rene Douglas suffered a major spinal injury in a May 23 race and continues to recuperate in the Chicago area.

[Tairaterces]

Rest in peace Im No Gentleman . . . . . . . . .

Prayers to Michael and his family.

[Tairaterces]

Does any website have a headon view of this race?? Would like to see the movements of #7 and #8 in this accident that happened to the favorite in this race.

[Srotagtbs]

Does any website have a headon view of this race?? Would like to see the movements of #7 and #8 in this accident that happened to the favorite in this race.

It happened on the turn right before they turned into the stretch so I'm not sure if you will be able to see much. As stated, it looked like he clipped heels with the #7.

My best wishes to Michael Straight and his family.

[Delmarjohn]

youbet has the head on ....looks like he clipped heels horse was along striding horse who was getting tired ...it all happenned so suddenly....feel real bad about the seriousness of the injury

[Tairaterces]

youbet has the head on ....looks like he clipped heels horse was along striding horse who was getting tired ...it all happenned so suddenly....feel real bad about the seriousness of the injury

Only reason I'm asking is that the story on what happened seems to be changing. First story was clipped heels. Next version was clipped heels or the horse had a pulmonary problem. Last version I read today was that the horse dropped dead right then and that was what caused the accident. So I am very confused.

[MaryS]

Does anyone know if Illinois does necropsies on all horses that die on the grounds as California does?

[Tairaterces]

Today's news is back to clipping heels.
No mention of pulmonary problem or dropping dead on the track by Im No Gentleman.

Michael's surgery went well . . . . . . . . now it is just a waiting game to see what damage was done.

[Srotagtbs]

Does anyone know if Illinois does necropsies on all horses that die on the grounds as California does?

Yes.

http://www.state.il.us/agency/irb/racing/pdf/rule%20book/rule%20book.pdf

Page 289 is where it starts.



Section 603.150 Post Mortems

a) Every horse which suffers a breakdown on the race track in training or in competition, and is destroyed, and every other horse which expires while stabled on the race track under the jurisdiction of the Board, shall undergo post-mortem examination at a time and place acceptable to the official veterinarian to determine the injury or sickness which resulted in euthanasia or natural death, except as provided herein:

1) In the case of breakdowns, an examination of the affected area by a licensed veterinarian in the presence of, and in consultation with, the official veterinarian shall be sufficient; however, test samples shall be required.

2) A post-mortem shall not be required if in the opinion of the State veterinarian a post-mortem is impractical or not necessary; however, test samples shall be required.

3) Post-mortems shall not be required when death is due to fire.