Wife says Leparoux's 'ankle X-rays came back good, thankfully'

Jockey Julien Leparoux was transported Saturday night to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis with a lower leg injury due to a fall at the start of the Grade 3, $500,000 Indiana Derby at Indiana Grand.

Runner Eskenforit stumbled badly coming out of the gate and unseated Leparoux, then continued on while track staffers attended to Leparoux.

Shea Leparoux, wife of the jockey, tweeted Sunday morning that “his ankle X-rays came back good, thankfully.”

“He’s flying back to Saratoga now,” Shea Leparoux tweeted. “He will not be riding to today to ensure he’s a 100% Thank you for everyone’s well wishes and prayers.”

Julien Leparoux has piloted 2,628 winners over 14,552 career starts, with his mounts earning $160,842,071. So far in 2019, Leparoux has collected 60 victories over 414 starts.

Leparoux won Eclipse Awards for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey in 2006 and Outstanding Jockey three years later. He’s ridden seven Breeders’ Cup winners.