Jockey Javier Castellano leaves track on stretcher after horse broke through the starting gate
A scary incident at Belmont Park on Monday resulted in jockey Javier Castellano leaving the track on a stretcher. David Grening of Daily Racing Form reported the news.
Per Grening, the horse Keep It Sexy broke through the starting gate before the start of the race. Castellano fell awkwardly and was taken off the track on a stretcher and into an ambulance.
Keep It Sexy was scratched from the race.
Video of the incident later surfaced that led to the Castellano falling off the horse. The jockey was later evaluated at First-Aid.
After the horse broke through the gate, people on hand got control of the animal and then tended to Castellano. Horses were then backed out of the starting gate, causing a delay at the start of the race.
Though it was a scary moment for the jockey, he didn’t suffer any major injuries. Grening reported that he was still cleared to ride in other events. It could’ve been a much worse situation for Castellano.
Castellano jockeyed winning horses at Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes
Castellano has enjoyed quite a bit of success in 2023. He jockeyed two different horses in two of the biggest races on the calendar, leading both to victory.
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First, he was aboard Mage in early May to win the Kentucky Derby. It marked the first time in his career that he rode a winning horse in the prestigious event.
In June, Castellano rode Arcangelo to a victory at the Belmont Stakes. Again, it was the first victory at the major event for the jockey. He’s also jockeyed winning horses for the Preakness Stakes twice, with wins in 2006 and 2017.
Castellano won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey in four consecutive years, claiming the honor from 2013-16. He was also inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2017.
Even at 45, Castellano has accomplished great feats in the world of horse racing in 2023. We’re thankful that he walked away from Monday’s incident without serious injury.