Apprentice Saez Dies Due to Spill Injuries

Apprentice jockey Juan Saez, 17, has died due to the injuries he sustained Tuesday night, Oct. 14, in a spill during the eighth race at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino.

The Indianapolis Star said Marion County's chief deputy coroner Alfarena Ballew reported the death of Saez, who was airlifted from a heliport near the track by Life Flight and transported to IU Health Methodist Hospital where he was treated in the level one trauma center.

Although details of the incident are being reviewed by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission's board of stewards, it is believed that Montezuma Express, ridden by Saez, clipped heels with the horse in front of him, Paddy's Notes, ridden by Oriana Rossi. As a result of the contact in the turn of the six-furlong optional claiming race, Montezuma Express, a 4-year-old son of Henny Hughes, fell, causing Saez to be unseated. Trailing horse Masaru, ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr., was unable to avoid the fallen horse and also fell, unseating that rider.

Montezuma Express, trained by Rick Hiles for B M H Stable, had to be euthanized. No other riders were taken to the hospital.

Saez, a native of Panama, was the younger brother of journeyman Luis Saez. Saez had a 2-3-7 record from 26 mounts at the current Keeneland meet for a 46% in-the-money rate. He finished as the leading rider at this year's Ellis Park meet, where he registered 51 wins from 194 starts. He graduated at the top of his class from of the Laffit Pincay Jr. Jockey School in Panama.

In a separate incident at the top of the stretch, Platitude fell, unseating jockey Marcelino Pedroza. Platitude, a 4-year-old son of Yes It's True   trained by Tim Glyshaw for Steve Markwell, Brian McCormick, Fred Bleuel, was euthanized as a result of the fall. Pedroza not was taken to the hospital. Officials believe the two incidents were not related.

Due to two incidents on the track in different locations, the decision was made to cancel the ninth and final race on the program.