Jockey Javier Castellano will be out for three weeks with a minor lower back injury following a four-horse spill in the July 3 Wild Applause Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.
Castellano, who was aboard the Jorge Delgado-trained Paris Carver, collided with I Love Giraffes who had fallen after clipping heels with Pillar of Beauty at the top of the stretch. Castellano was taken to Saratoga Hospital for evaluation and X-rays following the spill, and was released shortly after in good order. Smexy and Lovely Grey were the other two horses who fell besides Paris Carver and I Love Giraffes.
NYRA released a statement July 8 that the Hall of Fame jockey would be out for three weeks with a minor lower back injury. He hopes to return to riding July 29, ahead of the $500,000 1 1/8-mile Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) Aug. 1.
"I'm feeling much better, and I appreciate all of the people that reached out with well wishes," Castellano said. "I'm disappointed to have to miss a few weeks at the start of the Saratoga meet, but my goal is to come back at the end of July and to continue to win races. I'm getting close to my 6,000th win, and my other main goal is to win my eighth Travers (Stakes)."
Castellano's agent Kevin Meyocks said Castellano's doctors advised against rushing the healing process and that no surgery was required.
Jorge Delgado posted on X July 4 that he was "Blessed to have Paris Carver back at the barn safe and sound."
LOPEZ SUSPENDED
Jockey Paco Lopez, who was aboard I Love Giraffes, was given a 30-day suspension following his ride in the Wild Applause for his "gross, careless riding." In the recently issued suspension by the New York State Gaming Commission, it said: "I Love Giraffes clipped heels with Pillar of Beauty and goes down, causing Lovely Grey, Paris Carver, and Smexy to fall as they in close proximity behind the fallen horse."
Lovely Grey was given a ride to the barn in the equine ambulance out of an abundance of caution from her lacerations. I Love Giraffes broke her hip as a result of the fall. She was the only horse to come away with a major injury. The 3-year-old Charlatan filly is owned by Gold Square and trained by Chad Summers, the same team that won the Preakness Stakes (G1) with Napoleon Solo.
Lopez, Tyler Gaffalione, and Dylan Davis, who were aboard the other three horses in the fall outside of Castellano, were not injured. Lopez won the next race, the Schuylerville Stakes, with Harper's Corner by 5 1/4 lengths. He plans to appeal the suspension.
