Two Jockeys Injured in 2-Horse Spill at Hollywood Park; Filly Destroyed

Jockey Luis Ortega suffered a broken left leg and another rider, Rene Douglas, was hospitalized with apparent minor injuries after a 2-horse spill at the top of the stretch in the second race Wednesday at Hollywood Park.

Barbie’s Best, a 4-year-old filly ridden by the 21-year-old Douglas, was in third place, on the inside, when she broke an ankle, went down and unseated Douglas on the muddy track.

Grand Vista, Ortega’s mount, running far back most of the way in the 6-furlong, $10,000 claiming race, was unable to avoid Barbie’s Best and also went down.

Grand Vista rolled over the fallen Douglas, who suffered bruised ribs and stomach pain and was sent to nearby Centinela Hospital Medical Center for overnight observation.

Dr. Robert Kerlan, Hollywood Park’s medical director, indicated that the 33-year-old Ortega would probably require surgery on his leg.

Barbie’s Best was destroyed with a lethal injection. Grand Vista, a 3-year-old filly, was not injured.

Both Ortega and Douglas are Panamanians. Douglas was substituting on Barbie’s Best for Alan Patterson, who is riding in Chicago. Because of Ortega’s injury, Rick Dominguez substituted for him on Inquisitorial and won the fifth race.