Velazquez Resting After Spleen Surgery
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Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, injured in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I), was resting a day later after undergoing surgery on his spleen, according to a Jockeys' Guild official.
"I just left the hospital; Johnny's resting," reported Darrell Haire, western regional manager for the Jockeys' Guild. "It's a pretty serious operation so they cut him pretty good. It's very painful.
"He just looked like he needed some rest, didn't have much color; he'll be there for a couple of days but everything seems to be going well. Initially the medication didn't agree with him but he's okay, thank God."
Velazquez, 41, was thrown from his mount Secret Compass in the 1 1/16-mile Juvenile Fillies when she fell leaving the backside. Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, Westrock Stable's 2-year-old Discreet Cat filly sustained a lateral condylar fracture with dislocation, and was euthanized.
The jockey was taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, where he was found to have internal bleeding. He underwent surgery late in the afternoon Nov. 2.
He was replaced on his remaining Breeders' Cup mounts, including Point of Entry, who finished fourth in the Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) under Joel Rosario, and Horse of the Year Wise Dan, who scored a repeat victory in the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) with Jose Lezcano aboard.