Rosario, Hernandez to Miss at Least a Month

Jockeys Joel Rosario and Rafael Hernandez will both be sidelined for at least a month after suffering injuries in a spill in a turf race at Gulfstream Park Feb. 20.

Rosario suffered a fractured wrist and will be out four to five weeks, according to agent Ron Anderson.

"It's a standard fracture like anyone would get trying to break their fall," Anderson said Feb. 21. "They'll put a plate on it Monday to speed things up. We're very lucky it's not worse. Joel's helmet split right in two, so that helmet did its job and probably saved his life."

Hernandez suffered a broken collarbone and several broken ribs, according to agent Cliff Collier.

"There's no damage to the spine," Collier said. "He'll remain in the hospital for three or four more days just to make sure everything is OK. The ribs are painful. I would say he'll be out six weeks at least."

Jockey Edgard Zayas, who like Rosario walked off the track and back to the jockey's room, took off his mounts Sunday with a swollen ankle. He is expected to ride when racing resumes Feb. 24.

Rosario, Hernandez, and Zayas were all unseated from their mounts in the Melody of Colors Stakes when Brandy's Girl clipped heels with More Royalty and fell shortly after entering the stretch. Kandoo, ridden by Rosario, fell over Brandy's Girl and was later euthanized, but the other horses escaped injury, the track reported.