That looked awful

[Srotagtbs]

I know that Rafael was up shortly after falling of his horse, Mi Rey, but it looked like he was stepped on by the horse behind him. I'm SHOCKED they didn't force him to stay on his back and keep him stable. That looked bad and I hope he turns out just fine. My condolences to the connections of Mi Rey

[Risen Star]

It was horrific.

[Beckron]

I hope Rafael is okay. Mi Rey was one of my favorites, just makes me sick.

[Masterp]

What a shame.

The horse looked like he was ready to fly to on the rail. RIP

Best wishes to Rafi

[Sonyaluvslavaman]

Sounds encouraging for Bejarano. Thoughts and prayers for the connections of Mi Rey.

[MaryS]

From press box:

Jockey Rafael Bejarano, one of the nation's leading riders, was taken by ambulance to Scripps Hospital in La Jolla for precautionary x-rays after he was unseated in the stretch run of the third race on opening-day of the 2009 Del Mar racing season.

Areas of concern for Bejarano were his left clavicle and the left side of his jaw, according to medical personnel who examined him in the track first aid station.

Mi Rey sustained a catastrophic injury to his right front leg, necessitating the horse being humanely euthanized.

[MaryS]

Upate -- DRAT!

Bejarano Suffers Serious Injuries in Del Mar Spill

X-ray examination at Scripps Hospital in La Jolla revealed that Rafael Bejarano, one of America’s leading jockeys, suffered multiple facial fractures as the result of a spill in the third race Wednesday, opening-day of the 2009 Del Mar summer racing season.

According to Dr. Philip Sanderson, physican who initially examined Bejarano in the track first aid station, x-rays showed that Bejarano suffered fractures of the jaw, nose and orbital bones in the mid-stretch mishap which occurred when his mount, Mi Rey, broke down, unseating Bejarano, who appeared to have been clipped by a trailing horse.

Mi Rey suffered a catastrophic injury to his right front leg and was humanely euthanized.

Bejarano, top rider at Del Mar a year ago, also may have suffered an injury in the area of his left shoulder. Further x-rays were scheduled.

According to Sanderson, the 27-year-old native of Peru has been admitted to the hospital and will remain overnight. He also said there is a possibility he will have to undergo surgery to repair his facial injuries.

[Syncopate]

Keep Raffi in your thoughts-

[DegenerationX]

Bejarano suffers broken jaw, nose
By Jay Privman
DEL MAR, Calif. -- Jockey Rafael Bejarano suffered multiple facial fractures on Wednesday's opening-day card at Del Mar when his mount, Mi Rey, broke down badly and dropped the rider in the stretch run of the third race.

Bejarano was taken to Scripps Hospital in nearby La Jolla, where X-rays revealed he had fractures of the jaw, nose, and orbital bones, according to Dr. Philip Sanderson, who examined Bejarano in the track's first-aid station before he was taken to the hospital.

Bejarano was scheduled to remain in the hospital overnight, according to Sanderson, who said Bejarano may need surgery to repair his injuries. Bejarano also was to have X-rays taken of his left shoulder.

Mi Rey was racing prominently as the field in the six-furlong race turned into the stretch. Racing just off the rail, he broke down, tossing Bejarano. Bejarano was clipped by Senor Afortunado, who was rallying up in the inside under jockey Garrett Gomez and, being right behind Mi Rey, had no chance to avoid the fallen rider.

Bejarano, 27, was the leading rider at Del Mar last summer. He finished second at the recently concluded Hollywood Park meeting.

Mi Rey, 8, was euthanized because of the extensive injuries to his right front leg.

"He suffered a compound fracture of his right front fetlock," said Dr. Rick Arthur, the equine medical director for the California Horse Racing Board. "It was an injury that was not amenable to surgical repair."

Mi Rey was making the 37th start of his career. Mi Rey was racing for a $10,000 claiming price on Wednesday. He had raced for as little as $10,000 twice earlier this year, and for as much as $32,000 as recently as May. He had finished seventh of 10 in a $16,000 claiming race at Hollywood Park in his previous start on June 13.

Mi Rey was trained by Doug O'Neill, who claimed him for $10,000 from Jeff Mullins in January. Wednesday's race was his seventh start for O'Neill, for whom he had won twice.


http://www.drf.com/news/article/105730.html

[Thinkinproblem]

Cal Racing has pulled the video for race 3.