Maragh Offers Positive Update on Progress

Jockey Rajiv Maragh offered a positive update on his long road to recovery Sept. 23, when he shared news of his latest doctor's exam with followers on Twitter.

Maragh, 30, has been sidelined since fracturing multiple vertabrae in a spill July 10 at Belmont Park. The jockey will remain in a back brace at least until Jan. 7.

Dr says fractures are healing well and stable. can leave the house and walk as tolerated. Still restricted to no bend or lift....

— Rajiv Maragh (@RajivMaragh) September 23, 2015

Cont... still wearing upper body brace until next doc appointment on Jan 7. Best news of all I will return to riding one day.

— Rajiv Maragh (@RajivMaragh) September 23, 2015

Maragh also suffered a broken rib and punctured lung in the accident, which occured during the fifth race on Belmont's July 10 card when Mini Muffin, ridden by Ruben Silvera, veered into the path of Yourcreditisgood, with Maragh aboard. Yourcreditisgood clipped the heels of Mini Muffin and fell hard, unseating Maragh. Yourcreditisgood ran off and was eventually caught by an outrider.

Mini Muffin finished fifth in the 6 1/2-furlong maiden claiming race, but was disqualified and unplaced as a result of the incident.

Maragh had been back in the saddle less than a year prior to his July 10 spill; he broke his right arm in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) last September and missed three months after undergoing surgery to repair that injury.