McCarron Injured in Del Mar Spill : Breaks Shoulder When Thrown--Out Four to Six Weeks

Chris McCarron, the nation’s leading jockey this year, suffered a broken left shoulder blade Saturday when his horse stumbled out of the gate at Del Mar, throwing him to the turf.

McCarron is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks, according to Del Mar officials.

The 31-year-old McCarron, whose earnings this year have totalled more than $8 million, was thrown heavily to the track by his mount, Konewah, at the start of the third race.

The jockey was taken to Scripps Hospital in La Jolla, where X-rays disclosed the fracture, track officials said. McCarron is a four-time riding champion at the track.

In the day’s featured race, the $54,950 Escondido Handicap, Truce Maker, ridden by Frank Olivares, won a racelong duel with favored Ice Hot.

Carrying 120 pounds, Truce Maker beat Ice Hot, ridden by Laffit Pincay, by a length in the 1 1/16-mile turf race. Tapping Wood, ridden by Gary Stevens, finished third, a head behind Ice Hot.

Truce Maker, sent off as the second choice in the wagering by the Del Mar crowd of 23,081, was clocked in 1:42 1/5 in the race for 3-year-olds and up.

The winner returned $10, $3.20 and $3. Ice Hot, carrying high weight of 122 pounds, paid $2.80 and $2.40. Tapping Wood paid $3.60 to show.

Owned by Greer Garson Fogelson, Truce Maker is an 8-year-old son of Ack Ack.

The victory was the sixth in 22 career starts for Truce Maker, who now has won $245,856.