Friday, September 5, 2014

Exercise rider dies after fall at Belmont Park

The New York Racing Association, Inc.

September 5, 2014

 

Contact: NYRA Press Office

(718) 659-2351

 

Exercise rider dies after fall at Belmont Park

 

ELMONT, N.Y. - Exercise rider Juan Vazquez, 39, died Friday morning following a training accident at Belmont Park.

 

Juan Vazquez was working Global Warrior, an unraced 2-year-old, in company with Broadway Bay in the stretch on the training track at approximately 8 a.m. when the horse suddenly ducked into the inside rail, unseating the rider, according to Bruce Brown, who trains both horses.

 

"They were nearing the end of the work and Juan reached back to hit the horse once, right-handed," said Brown. "The horse ducked into the rail and he [Vazquez] ended up over the inside rail."

 

Juan Vazquez, who was born in Mexico and trained several horses on his own in addition to working as an exercise rider, was transported to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y., where he was pronounced dead.

 

"The entire New York Racing Association family is deeply saddened by this tragic event," said John Durso, Jr., Director of Communications and Media Relations for the New York Racing Association. "This was a rare, unusual and unfortunate incident. Our collective thoughts and prayers are with Juan Vazquez's family during this difficult time."

 

-30-

 

 

 

 

Forward this email



This email was sent to patrickjpatten.tpaposts@blogger.com by nyracommunications@nyrainc.com |  


The New York Racing Association, Inc. | NYRA | Press Office | P.O. Box 90 | Jamaica | NY | 11417