Gary Stevens Injured in Spill During Santa Anita Workout

Gary Stevens, fifth in the national jockey standings and the leading rider at Santa Anita’s Oak Tree meeting, was injured Thursday morning when a 2-year-old filly he was riding veered into the rail during a workout.

Stevens, 22, was thrown by the horse, Irish Kristin, and knocked unconscious in the spill. He was treated at Arcadia Methodist Hospital for a dislocated shoulder, knee and head injuries, and a torn ligament in his right knee.

He may require surgery on the shoulder and knee.

Stevens regained consciousness but was put in intensive care for observation. He was to remain there for at least 24 hours.

Irish Kristin, leaving the gate for a six-furlong workout, ducked to the left, in the direction of the rail, unseating Stevens. The filly was not seriously injured.

According to Daily Racing Form statistics, Stevens had 204 winners and his mounts had earned $6.3 million in purses through Sept. 29. Stevens had ridden 11 winners through the first six days of the Oak Tree season.

Stevens’ injuries will cost him the chance to ride Tsunami Slew, and perhaps other horses, in the $10-million Breeders’ Cup races at Aqueduct Nov. 2. Stevens has won all three times he’s ridden Tsunami Slew, including last Sunday in the Carleton F. Burke Handicap at Santa Anita.

Stevens, scheduled to ride undefeated Trim Colony in Saturday’s $200,000 Oak Leaf Stakes, has been replaced by Fernando Toro.

Another of Stevens’ top horses this year has been Hilco Scamper, a 2-year-old gelding who won the Hollywood Juvenile championship and the Sapling Stakes at Monmouth Park. Stevens also won the Arkansas Derby with Tank’s Prospect at Oaklawn Park.

In last year’s inaugural Breeders’ Cup races at Hollywood Park, Stevens, then 21, was the youngest jockey to ride. He finished last aboard Got You Runnin in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Stakes.