Jockeys Davis, Vargas Jr. on the mend after Aqueduct spill

Jockeys Dylan Davis and Jorge Vargas Jr. are on the road to recovery after being unseated from their mounts in Saturday’s ninth race, a six-furlong maiden special weight sprint for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Vargas was unseated when his mount, Kiss Me Dave, fell entering the turn. Davis was unseated when Tellaperfecttale fell over Kiss Me Dave, while jockey Nik Juarez was unseated by Maybe I Know, who maneuvered to evade the spill.

Tellaperfecttale and Maybe I Know walked off the track under their own power. Kiss Me Dave, a bay daughter of Palace, collapsed and died on track, according to Dr. Anthony Verderosa, director of NYRA veterinarians.

Juarez was transported to first aid for evaluation and immediately cleared, while Davis and Vargas were transported to an area hospital for further evaluation.

Davis, a 26-year-old native of Manhasset, N.Y., incurred a broken clavicle. He will have surgery on Monday and be out for six to eight weeks, said agent Mike Migliore.

Vargas will need four to six weeks to recover from a lumbar fracture, according to agent Jimmy Riccio Jr., who said the rider is pointing to a long-term goal of riding at the Monmouth Park summer meet.

Davis was in the midst of a strong Big A winter meet with 44 wins, good for fourth in the jockey standings, including stakes wins with Capo Kane (Jerome), Mrs. Orb (La Verdad) and Just Read It in Saturday’s $100,000 Cicada.

Vargas, a 26-year-old native of Caguas, Puerto Rico, is seventh in the jockey standings with 28 wins. He notched a pair of stakes wins at the Aqueduct winter meet with Pete’s Play Call (Gravesend) and Bella Aurora (Interborough).