Jockey Serafin Carmona is hospitalized at CHI-St. Vincent in Hot Spring, Ark., after being unseated when his mount clipped heels during the running of the ninth race March 5 at Oaklawn Park. Carmona was transferred by ambulance to CHI, where he was sedated and placed on a ventilator with a head and neck injury.
According to a social media post by jockey agent Penny Fitch-Hayes, the rider has a C4 fracture, a serious break in the fourth cervical vertebra in the neck, "and is heavily sedated to avoid any more swelling on the brain. He is such a strong, positive energy and resilient guy that with all the prayers and love am confident that he will recover fast."
According to the Equibase chart, Carmona's mount in the Arkansas-bred maiden claiming race, Balandeen Storm, "got shutoff midway around the far turn, clipped heels and fell," unseating Carmona. Balandeen Storm "got up and jogged before getting caught by the outrider, and was transported off the track in an equine ambulance," the chart noted.
Stewards conducted an inquiry into the incident but made no changes to the order of finish.
Carmona, who gained attention when he began race riding in 2023 as a 36-year-old apprentice, is competing at Oaklawn for the first time this season and has five victories from 50 mounts in 2026. He has 106 victories from 1,078 career rides.
Before launching his career as a jockey, he had been an exercise rider at 14 years at Southern California tracks after arriving from his native Panama in 2009.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to assist with his recovery expenses.
