Nakatani Taken to Hospital After Spill
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Jockey Corey Nakatani was taken to the hospital March 15 after a spill in the fifth race at Santa Anita Park.
Aboard favored Bilger's Sapphire in a maiden special weight event on the downhill turf course, Nakatani trailed early with the 4-year-old filly before beginning a run mid-turn. Bilger's Sapphire appeared to clip the heels of Bullwinkle Babe at the top of the stretch, sending both jockey and horse to the ground.
The 44-year-old riding veteran, who is on this year's ballot for the Racing Hall of Fame, was down on the track for an extended period of time before being removed on a backboard and lifted into an ambulance.
Nakatani was taken to the trauma center at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, Calif., and Santa Anita stewards said Nakatani was conscious and moving his extremities.
According to Nakatani's agent, Tony Matos, the rider was complaining of pain in the area of his collar bone.
Bilger's Sapphire appeared to emerge from the fall uninjured and walked back to Santa Anita's barn area on her own.