Jockey Yomar Ortiz was in a frightening spill Sunday at Laurel Park but was fortunate to avoid serious injury, agent J. D. Brown said Monday.
Like a lot of jockeys, Sunday Diaz, Jr. has had to overcome weight issues. But in his case, they occurred well before his career even started.
With Covid-19 keeping big-name jockeys home, riders based at Charles Town get a big and rare opportunity to have live mounts in graded races this evening.
Jockeys Xavier Perez and Felix A. Pinero largely escaped injury after a last-race spill at Laurel Park, while Felix E. Pinero was still being evaluated.
Jockey Xavier Perez rode in the Breeders’ Cup in 2013 but has since fallen off the map. His three stakes mounts Friday are one sign he’s coming back.
Jockeys Xavier Perez and Nik Juarez have been suspended by Maryland stewards, Perez for failing a drug test and Juarez for failing to provide a sample to test.
Rider Xavier Perez has a tattoo in honor of what he calls “my big horse.” That it’s not of Grade 1 winner Dance to Bristol points out what’s enabling him to succeed.
J.D. Brown likes stories where success comes from unexpected places. As the agent for filly star Dance to Bristol’s rider, Xavier Perez, Brown is living just such a story — and hoping the ride continues.