Injured Monmouth Jockeys Figueroa, Mejia on the Mend

Jockey Heriberto Figueroa, injured in a spill at Monmouth Park July 25, will resume riding there July 30, with Tomas Mejia, involved in the same spill, likely to be out at least one more week while he recovers, according to the agents of both riders. Figueroa is listed to ride Grand Union  in the fourth race Friday.

"He's doing fine and ready to ride again," said John Salamone, Figueroa's agent. "He's 100%."

Figueroa was named to ride Speedy Fire  in the fourth race July 28 at Colonial Downs and was replaced by Horacio Karamanos.

Mejia's return will likely be delayed another week due to soreness, according to agent Robert Tuccille.

"He is feeling a lot better, but we're going to take the safe approach and not rush back so he will not ride this weekend," said Tuccille. 

Both riders were transported by ambulance to Monmouth Medical Center following the spill in Sunday's fifth race. Both were released later that night.

The incident occurred when Mejia's mount, Service With Honor, appeared to clip heels with a tiring One More Nightcap  coming out of the final turn of the 1 1/16-mile starter allowance on the grass, with Mejia slamming into the turf. Figueroa, aboard Rose for a Saint , went down trying to avoid Service With Honor.

Under New Jersey Racing Commission rules implemented this year, Monmouth Park riders are prevented from using the riding crop except for safety reasons, though Sunday's incident came at a pre-stretch stage before crops are most often used at other tracks.