Report: Javier Castellano will miss 2 weeks with wrist fracture

Javier Castellano, who suffered an injury to his right wrist in a spill Friday, will miss two weeks of rides while he recovers, Daily Racing Form reported Saturday.

Castellano told DRF’s David Grening on Saturday afternoon that he suffered “a little fracture” when he was dismounted near the end of Friday’s Saranac Stakes at Saratoga.

The Hall of Fame jockey had been booked for 12 entries in 11 races Saturday, one of them being an alternative to a primary choice. He was replaced on nine horses. The other three were scratched.

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Castellano was taken to Albany Medical Center on Friday afternoon after he hit the ground in a two-horse fall near the end of the Grade 3 Saranac Stakes. His agent P.J. Campo first told DRF and the New York Racing Association that X-rays showed no fracture. According to Grening, Castellano said he was told the swelling in his hand may have hidden the fracture until he was re-examined Saturday.

Riding 3-year-old colt Take Me To Church, Castellano could not avoid the fatal breakdown of The Big Torpedo ahead of him in the Saranac. Jockey Eric Cancel was not seriously hurt, and he kept his five rides Saturday. Take Me To Church ran loose before being collared and taken back to his barn, where he was diagnosed with minor scrapes, according to NYRA and owner Staton Flurry.

Castellano will be replaced by Ramón Vázquez on Salted in the Spinaway (G1) and by José Lezcano on Millie Girl in the Flower Bowl (G2). Pacific Rose, who Castellano was scheduled to ride in the Prioress (G3), was scratched.