Saez Off Mounts at Keeneland After Second Race Fall

Jockey Luis Saez, unseated in the second race April 8 at Keeneland after his mount, Fateful Lightning , bumped with another horse in midstretch, was in stable condition Tuesday afternoon and under evaluation by University of Kentucky HealthCare Medical Services, according to Keeneland.

He was removed from his scheduled mounts for the remainder of the Tuesday card, including Admiral Dennis  in the $1.25 million Blue Grass Stakes (G1). Joel Rosario will now ride the latter.

Saez lost his balance after contact with the Rosario-ridden Bermuda Triangle  in the second race, and after clinging to his mount for a few strides, tumbled to the turf. No trailing horses appeared to strike Saez, though his mount's legs may have struck him.

After the field had raced past the jockey, track staff quickly approached Saez, who, after shifting around slightly on the course, laid flat while emergency medical services evaluated him. He left the course on a stretcher.

Several jockeys, including Irad Ortiz Jr., visited Saez after dismounting from their mounts in front of the grandstand. Ortiz told Daily Racing Form's Marcus Hersh that Saez had pain in his lower back but had full movement and was conscious and communicating.

Stewards reviewed the race with an inquiry but made no change to the order of finish. Bermuda Triangle finished in sixth place. Fateful Lightning galloped riderless to the finish and was officially unplaced.

Outriders corralled the loose horse after the race. He returned to the barn and was uninjured, according to Keeneland.

This story will be updated.