Injured Rider Castro to Miss 4-6 Weeks
Jockey Eddie Castro is expected to miss four to six weeks of racing
action after suffering a large laceration to his right leg in a paddock
accident at
Monmouth
Park on Sunday.
“He’s
healing well,” said Dr. Angelo Chinnici, medical director for Monmouth
Park Racetrack. “He’ll need some physical therapy and may need a
skin graft, but overall he’s okay.”
A 29-year-old native of Los Santos, Panama, Castro was given a leg up on the Todd Pletcher trained Kamarius when the horse reared, unseating the rider, and then kicking him in the leg. Kamarius, a 2-year-old colt by Candy Ride, was making his first career start.
Prior to Sunday’s paddock incident, Castro had ridden 23 winners from 140 mounts, good for third in the overall Monmouth standings.
JOCKEY CHUCK C. LOPEZ RETURNS TO MONMOUTH FRIDAY
Jockey Chuck C. Lopez, top jockey at Monmouth Park in 1998, has returned to the Jersey Shore, making his 2014 Oceanport debut on Friday.
“I’m just glad to be home,” said Lopez, who’s been riding most recently in Indiana. “The chance to ride for David Jacobson came up, and I couldn’t be happier to get this opportunity. New Jersey is home, Monmouth Park is home and it’s great to be back.”
A 54-year-old native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Lopez has won some of Monmouth’s top races, including the Iselin, Molly Pitcher, Oceanport, Salvator Mile, Sapling and Sorority.
J.R. Pegram will act as agent for Lopez.
MONMOUTH PARK READY TO CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE
Monmouth Park has a full schedule of events slated for Fourth of July Weekend, including the Heroes’ Backyard Celebration, jockey memorabilia sale, and weekend capper Grade 1 $500,000 United Nations Stakes and beach towel giveaway.
On both the 4th and 5th, Monmouth will host the first ever Heroes’ Backyard Picnic Celebration, where the park will provide free admission to members of the military, police officers, firefighters, and EMTs who are either in uniform or present identification.
Heroes and patrons can enjoy great food and ice-cold beer in the “Red, White, and Brew” beer garden, as well as live music from After the Reign on Friday and Nine Deez Band Saturday. The festival will also include games and competitions such as cornhole, a horseshoe tournament, a hotdog eating competition, and the Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin’ Challenge.
Fans will also be able to purchase racing memorabilia from their favorite jockeys Friday through Sunday. Proceeds from the sales will benefit Second Call, a non-profit racehorse adoption program.
The weekend will culminate on Sunday, July 6 with the running of the Grade 3 Salvator Mile and the 63rd running of the Grade 1 United Nations Stakes. To commemorate the event, park goers that day will receive a free beach towel with the price of admission while supply lasts.