Jockey Bejarano Sidelined by Surgery

Current Ellis Park leading rider Rafael Bejarano will be sidelined until Aug. 28 after undergoing surgery to removed a small, non-malignant growth from his pancreas. 

In a story first reported by the Daily Racing Form, Bejarano's agent, Julio Espinoza, said that the jockey had been experiencing some pain in his side leading to the surgery, which is scheduled to take place Wednesday in a Louisville hospital. 

For the time being, Espinoza said that Bejarano was resting comfortably at home. The jockey had not ridden since Aug. 9 when he won the Runhappy Debutante Stakes aboard Crazy Beautiful as well as one other race from seven mounts. 

Espinoza could not be reached for additional comment on Monday. 

A native of Peru, 38-year-old Bejarano has won 4,091 races from 20,284 career starts and banked earnings of $206,135,637. 

With just six cards remaining at the 25-day summer meet at Ellis Park, Bejarano currently holds an 18-16 lead over Joe Talamo and sits atop the local standings. Espinoza told DRF that Bejarano should be able to return for the last three days of the meet Aug. 28-30.

Going forward, the agent suggested that he believed Bejarano had "an excellent chance" at securing a mount for the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) as many out of state jockeys may not make the trip due to the strict COVID-19 protocols. All jockeys slated to participate in the American classic must be on the grounds at Churchill Downs by Aug. 31.