Jockey Rafael Bejarano has undergone surgery and is doing well in the hospital a day after he sustained serious facial injuries in a spill at Del Mar.

His agent Joe Ferrer says Thursday that Bejarano is beginning to heal and is expected to leave the hospital on Friday.

Ferrer says the jockey underwent surgery for multiple facial fractures, including a broken jaw, cheek and nose. Bejaranos jaw didnt need to be wired shut.

Theres no timetable on when he might be completely healed, but the doctors tell me facial bones heal faster than any of the other bones in the body, Ferrer said.

He said Bejaranos return to action depends on the healing process and that the jockey could ride with a mask to protect his face.

Bejarano was injured Wednesday when his mount broke its right leg and unseated him. After hitting the ground, he was struck by a trailing horse.

He won the 2008 Del Mar riding title and is the nations fourth-leading rider in earnings.

Trainer Gary Stute said Thursday that hes 95 percent sure that Bo Hirschs Papa Clem will make his next start in the $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) here on Sunday, Aug 2.

Its almost definite were going Stute said from his Santa Anita base. The only thing were not sure of right now is the jockey.

Rafael Bejarano, who became Papa Clems regular rider last year and was aboard in the colts Arkansas Derby victory, was injured in a spill at Del Mar on Wednesday, suffering facial fractures.

His agent (Joe Ferrer) told me that Rafael probably could ride in a couple of weeks wearing one of those cages that covers the face, Stute said. He didnt have any other fractures, which is great. Hes such a good guy, I hope he recovers quickly.
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Stute said that he has heard from the agents of both Tyler Baze, who rode Papa Clem in his first two starts, and Elvis Trujillo, who was aboard in the Long Branch Stakes here, but has not yet made a decision. Papa Clem, who has been stabled at Monmouth since the week before running third in the July 11 Long Branch, turned in a sharp breeze (6 furlongs in 1:12.60) here on Monday, and will likely work once more before the Haskell.

Ill breeze him one more time, probably next Monday, Stute said, and maybe blow him out right before the race.

BUNKER HILL, BLINKERS ON, WORKS BULLET :59.40 FOR HASKELL

Flying Dutchman Thoroughbreds Bunker Hill looked sharp in his new blinkers Thursday morning as he drilled five furlongs in a bullet :59.40 to get ready for the $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) here on August 2. Clockers caught the colt in :22.80 for the quarter, :46.60 for the half, and galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.40. Trainer Derek Ryan said he had originally planned to breeze the Trippi colt on Friday or Saturday, but decided to move the work up to today because of the threat of rain the next few days. Bunker Hill has not worn blinkers in a race, and this was the first time he breezed while wearing the hood, although Ryan said the colt has been galloping in blinkers in recent days.

Hes been working gangbusters with the blinkers on, Ryan said, and hell wear them for the Haskell.

Bunker Hill, who has two seconds in two stakes at Charles Town this year, has not won since taking a stakes at Delaware last September. He does have two victories on the main track at Monmouth, both as a 2-year-old. Bunker Hill will have his work cut out in the Haskell, taking on Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra and Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird among others.

If the filly runs her race, Ryan said, were all running for second money, but thats all right.

SUMMER BIRD TO SCHOOL FRIDAY WITH 3RD RACE FIELD

Summer Bird, the Belmont Stakes winner who has been at Monmouth since early July getting ready for the Haskell Invitational, is scheduled to school in the paddock with the field for Fridays third race. Trainer Tim Ice has schooled the Birdstone colt here before, but not during racing hours.

MONMOUTH CONTEST SEARCHES FOR THE ULTIMATE RACHEL FAN

In anticipation of Rachel Alexandra taking on the boys again in the Haskell Invitational on Aug. 2, Monmouth has started a contest to search for the ultimate Rachel fan.

Akilina found an opening on the rail Thursday, slipping through to beat Acquired Cat by 3 lengths in the $45,000 allowance feature for fillies and mares on the turf at Belmont Park.

Rajiv Maragh was aboard the 12-1 shot for trainer Christophe Clement. The 3-year-old got her third win in eight starts, running the seven furlongs on the firm course in 1:23.16.

Akilina paid $27.80, $12.40 and $8.70. Acquired Cat, the 5-2 favorite, returned $4.40 and $3.20. Southside Babe paid $3.90 to show.

Trainer Gary Stute said Thursday that hes 95 percent sure that Bo Hirschs Papa Clem will make his next start in the $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) here on Sunday, Aug 2.

Its almost definite were going Stute said from his Santa Anita base. The only thing were not sure of right now is the jockey.

Rafael Bejarano, who became Papa Clems regular rider last year and was aboard in the colts Arkansas Derby victory, was injured in a spill at Del Mar on Wednesday, suffering facial fractures.

His agent (Joe Ferrer) told me that Rafael probably could ride in a couple of weeks wearing one of those cages that covers the face, Stute said. He didnt have any other fractures, which is great. Hes such a good guy, I hope he recovers quickly.
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Stute said that he has heard from the agents of both Tyler Baze, who rode Papa Clem in his first two starts, and Elvis Trujillo, who was aboard in the Long Branch Stakes here, but has not yet made a decision. Papa Clem, who has been stabled at Monmouth since the week before running third in the July 11 Long Branch, turned in a sharp breeze (6 furlongs in 1:12.60) here on Monday, and will likely work once more before the Haskell.

Ill breeze him one more time, probably next Monday, Stute said, and maybe blow him out right before the race.

BUNKER HILL, BLINKERS ON, WORKS BULLET :59.40 FOR HASKELL

Flying Dutchman Thoroughbreds Bunker Hill looked sharp in his new blinkers Thursday morning as he drilled five furlongs in a bullet :59.40 to get ready for the $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) here on August 2. Clockers caught the colt in :22.80 for the quarter, :46.60 for the half, and galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.40. Trainer Derek Ryan said he had originally planned to breeze the Trippi colt on Friday or Saturday, but decided to move the work up to today because of the threat of rain the next few days. Bunker Hill has not worn blinkers in a race, and this was the first time he breezed while wearing the hood, although Ryan said the colt has been galloping in blinkers in recent days.

Hes been working gangbusters with the blinkers on, Ryan said, and hell wear them for the Haskell.

Bunker Hill, who has two seconds in two stakes at Charles Town this year, has not won since taking a stakes at Delaware last September. He does have two victories on the main track at Monmouth, both as a 2-year-old. Bunker Hill will have his work cut out in the Haskell, taking on Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra and Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird among others.

If the filly runs her race, Ryan said, were all running for second money, but thats all right.

SUMMER BIRD TO SCHOOL FRIDAY WITH 3RD RACE FIELD

Summer Bird, the Belmont Stakes winner who has been at Monmouth since early July getting ready for the Haskell Invitational, is scheduled to school in the paddock with the field for Fridays third race. Trainer Tim Ice has schooled the Birdstone colt here before, but not during racing hours.

MONMOUTH CONTEST SEARCHES FOR THE ULTIMATE RACHEL FAN

In anticipation of Rachel Alexandra taking on the boys again in the Haskell Invitational on Aug. 2, Monmouth has started a contest to search for the ultimate Rachel fan.

Jockey Rafael Bejarano has undergone surgery and is doing well in the hospital a day after he sustained serious facial injuries in a spill at Del Mar.

His agent Joe Ferrer says Thursday that Bejarano is beginning to heal and is expected to leave the hospital on Friday.

Ferrer says the jockey underwent surgery for multiple facial fractures, including a broken jaw, cheek and nose. Bejaranos jaw didnt need to be wired shut.

Theres no timetable on when he might be completely healed, but the doctors tell me facial bones heal faster than any of the other bones in the body, Ferrer said.

He said Bejaranos return to action depends on the healing process and that the jockey could ride with a mask to protect his face.

Bejarano was injured Wednesday when his mount broke its right leg and unseated him. After hitting the ground, he was struck by a trailing horse.

He won the 2008 Del Mar riding title and is the nations fourth-leading rider in earnings.

Afleet Eagle surged to the front on the far turn and went on to win Wednesdays $112,800 Oceanside Stakes by 2 1/2 lengths on opening day of Del Mars 70th summer meeting.

Ridden by Tyler Baze, Afleet Eagle covered a mile on the turf in 1:34.35 and paid $14.60, $7.40 and $4.20 at 6-1 odds.

Mark S the Cooler returned $7.40 and $4.20, while Rendezvous was another head back in third and paid $4 to show.

The victory, worth $67,680, increased Afleet Eagles career earnings to $118,843, with three wins in four starts.

For the first time since 1988, the opening day stakes wasnt run in two divisions.

Del Mar has reduced racing from six days to five because of fewer available horses.

Flying Dutchman Thoroughbreds Bunker Hill, whose next start will be the $1 million Haskell Invitational on Aug 2, will have his final breeze for the Grade 1 event later this week, trainer Derek Ryan said.

Hell breeze either Friday or Saturday, depending on the track condition, Ryan said.

Bunker Hill, a son of Trippi, has not run since he finished second to Big Drama in the seven-furlong Red Legend Stakes at Charles Town on June 20. He has not breezed since he turned in a bullet work here on June 14. The colt was entered in last Sundays Barbaro Stakes at Delaware Park, but was scratched after drawing Post 11 in the field of 12.
It was a terrible post, Ryan said, with all the speed inside him. He had the best speed figures in the race, but the post forced us to take him out.

This 42nd running of the mile and an eighth Haskell will be headlined by Preakness and Kentucky Oaks winner Rachel Alexandra, and Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird. Other possible starters are graded stakes winner Munnings; Iowa Derby winner Duke of Mischief, and Arkansas Derby winner Papa Clem. Bunker Hill, out of the High Yield mare Never Yield, won his first two career starts at Monmouth last year. He broke his maiden on Aug. 7, and on Aug. 16 won the Continental Mile Stakes. He followed with a stakes victory at Delaware, and finished his 2-year-old season with a nose loss in the Dover Stakes. This year, he has been second in two Charles Town stakes events, and ran fifth in the Spend a Buck Stakes here on May 30. The only really poor race of his career came in the Grade 3 American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 1, when he got off to a bad start, and then was forced to change course to avoid an injured horse. He was allowed to just gallop around after that. Ryan originally planned to start Musket Man, who was third in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, in the Haskell. But that colt suffered a bone bruise and is sidelined for the season.

ATOMIC RAIN SOLD TO GODOLPHIN; HASKELL PLANS UNCERTAIN

Atomic Rain, who won the Long Branch Stakes here on July 11 for George and Lori Hall as his prep for the Haskell Invitational, has been sold to Godolphin and his status as a starter in the Aug. 2 race is now uncertain. Simon Crisford, Godolphin racing manager, said in a statement,

We have purchased Atomic Rain to race in Dubai this winter, but we will make a decision shortly with regard to his more immediate future.

Kelly Breen, who had trained Atomic Rain since purchasing the Smart Strike colt at the 2007 Keeneland September yearling sale for $125,000, said the colt was being shipped to New York Wednesday and the deal would be finalized sometime today. Earlier this summer, the Halls sold another of their top 3-year-old colts, West Side Bernie, to Godolphin. He was also purchased for a winter campaign in Dubai.

FRIDAY IS ANOTHER DOLLAR DAY AT MONMOUTH

This Friday, July 24, the cost of grandstand admission, a program, a hot dog and a soda will be just $1 each as Monmouth offers another Dollar Day in July. Sports Illustrated, on its website (www.SI.com) has declared Monmouth Parks Dollar Days on all Fridays in July to be the top summer sports deal in the United States. On its list of the best bargains in sports this summer of 2009, SI.com cited Monmouths dollar menu as the top deal, saying,

You can watch the ponies every Friday in July for just $1. Its the same price for grandstand admission, an official track program and hot dogs and sodas.

Jockey Rafael Bejarano sustained multiple facial fractures from a spill on opening day of the Del Mar meeting.

Bejarano fractured his jaw, nose and orbital bones in the fall during Wednesdays third race. His mount, Mi Rey, broke down, unseating Bejarano, who appeared to have been clipped by a trailing horse.

A doctor who examined Bejarano at the track says he also may have injured his left shoulder. More X-rays at a hospital were planned.

The 27-year-old jockey was admitted to the hospital and was expected to remain overnight. The doctor said Bejarano may have to undergo surgery to repair his facial injuries.

Mi Rey sustained a catastrophic injury to his right front leg and was euthanized.

Bejarano has been one of the nations leading jockeys in recent years, winning multiple riding titles at Southern Californias tracks.

Lawyer Ron was among the Kentucky Derby favorites in 2006 and a champion older horse in 2007. When he was retired from racing last year, he had earned nearly $2,8 million.

The 6-year-old horse was euthanized Friday night because of complications from colic surgery, Stonewall Farm Stallions said on its Web site.

Not only was he a superior racehorse horse but his physical presence and contagious personality captivated everyone that saw him, Stonewall manager Clark Shepherd said.

Lawyer Ron won 12 of 26 races. He was standing his second season at stud at Stonewall and his first crop of foals arrived this year.

His first foals are tremendous, Shepherd said. When breeders call in to report their Lawyer Ron foals being born, they all have a story to tell. This is obviously a huge loss for us, as well as for the racing and breeding community.

Lawyer Ron came into the 2006 Derby having won all seven of his starts on dirt tracks, but ran 12th behind Barbaro. After an interest in the horse was purchased by Stonewall Farm of Midway, Ky., the colt was transferred from trainer Bob Holthus to Todd Pletcher.

Lawyer Rons Eclipse Award-winning 4-year-old season included victories in the Oaklawn Handicap at Oaklawn Park, the Whitney Handicap in track-record time and the Woodward Stakes, both at Saratoga, and a narrow loss to future two-time Horse of the Year Curlin in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont.

As a 3-year-old, Lawyer Ron won the Risen Star at the Fair Grounds and the Southwest, the Rebel and the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn before the 2006 Kentucky Derby.

The colt was bred and owned by James T. Hines, Jr., who died a few months before the race at Churchill Downs that year. Lawyer Ron was then managed by Hines lawyer, Ron Bamberger, for whom the horse was named.

A few days before the Derby, Stonewall Farm purchased an interest in the colt, who was then moved from Holthus stable at Oaklawn to Pletchers New York stable.

Preakness-winning filly Rachel Alexandra will run against the boys again in the $1 million Haskell Invitational on Aug 2 at New Jerseys Monmouth Park.

Her co-owner Jess Jackson announced the decision Tuesday.

The Haskell is a 1 1-8-mile Grade 1 race for 3-year-olds. Also expected in the field is Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird.

She is in top condition. If this preparation continues, our target is to race in the Haskell Invitational in about three weeks, Jackson said in a release. We are all looking forward to seeing this great athlete perform again against both colts and fillies.

Rachel Alexandra worked five furlongs in 1:01.38 on Monday at Saratoga in upstate New York. She has won seven consecutive races, most recently by 19 lengths against fillies in the Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park on June 25.