Juan Saez dies from injuries suffered at Indiana Grand
Initial reports indicate that Saez, 17, fell after his horse, Montezuma Express, clipped heels with the horse in front of him. A trailing horse, Masaru, ridden by Ricardo Santana, Jr., was unable to avoid the fallen horse and rider, and also fell.
Saez, the younger brother of jockey Luis Saez, was airlifted to Methodist Hospital in critical condition, and was pronounced dead at the hospital later in the evening.
A native of Panana, Saez began his American riding career this June at Churchill Downs, and had compiled an impressive riding record in his short career, including winning the riding title this summer at Ellis Park.
Masaru, trained by Steve Asmussen, had to be euthanized due to injuries from the spill.
In a separate incident in the same race, another horse, Platitude, ridden by Marcelino Pedroza, fell and also had to be euthanized. Racing officials believe the two incidents were not related.
Neither Pedroza nor Santana were seriously injured.
Due to the tragedy, the decision was made to cancel the ninth and final race, as well as the racing card for Wednesday at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino.
Photo provided by Indiana Grand