Indiana Grand and Jockey Colony to Remember Juan Saez

Jockey Juan Saez passed away due to injuries sustained from an incident Tuesday night during the eighth race at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. Saez, a 17-year-old apprentice rider from Panama, was airlifted from the scene by Life Flight and transported to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

“The entire Centaur Gaming team is deeply saddened by the loss of Jockey Juan Saez,” said Rod Ratcliff Centaur Gaming’s chairman and CEO. “In Juan, we lost a courageous athlete, dedicated friend, and a member of the racing community that will be missed for years to come.”

Although Indiana Horse Racing Commission officials are still reviewing details of the incident, it is believed that Montezuma Express, ridden by Juan 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 race, Montezuma Express, a four-year-old son of Henny Hughes, fell, causing Saez to be unseated.

“A moment such as this gives us great pause, and reminds us all that our racing athletes bravely risk their lives each and every day,” said Jim Brown, Centaur Gaming’s president, COO and Indiana Grand general manger. “We ask that our local racing fans as well as those watching via simulcast join us on Thursday as we remember Juan and pay our respects to our fallen friend.”

Saez is a graduate of the Presidente Remon Racetrack in his native Panama. He won his first race in Panama in December 2013 and followed in his brother’s footsteps and arrived in the United States this past spring to ride in Kentucky and surrounding racetracks.

Saez split his time between riding at the Kentucky racetracks and Indiana Grand, earning the Leading Jockey and Leading Apprentice titles at Ellis Park in early September. He is positioned to be named the 2014 Leading Apprentice Jockey at Indiana Grand at the conclusion of the meet with 21 wins in 95 starts with purse earnings in excess of $558,000.

His brother, Luis, recently made his first trip to Indiana Grand for the $500,000-added Indiana Derby Oct. 4, 2014, winning that race aboard East Hall. The younger Saez also won a stakes race that night, earning the win aboard Mister Pollard in the $85,000 Hoosier Breeders Sophomore Stakes, which was his final win at Indiana Grand.

“Our hearts and prayers are with Juan’s family and friends today,” said Jon Schuster, Indiana Grand’s vice president and general manager of racing. “To have an up-and-coming star in the sport of horse racing taken from us so young is a tragedy. His passion for horse racing was immense and only surpassed by his good-natured outlook on life.”

In agreement with Indiana Grand’s Jockey Colony, Indiana Grand Racing & Casino will cancel live racing for Wednesday, Oct. 15 in remembrance of Juan Saez and out of respect for his family. A public memorial honoring the life and career of Juan Saez will be held on Thursday, Oct. 16 at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino.

Source: Indiana Grand