Trainer Kicked in Head by Sunday Silence
Charlie Whittingham, trainer of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Sunday Silence, was kicked in the head by his horse today, sustaining a minor bruise to his right temple.
Whittingham was taking Sunday Silence from the paddock area at Belmont Park to the track when they passed another horse.
“He just reared up and grazed me on the noggin,” Whittingham said. “You know how hard they strike. I thought I got out of the way, but I didn’t quite make it.”
The 76-year-old trainer had a bright red mark on his temple and a spreading yellow bruise, but he said he had no headache.
“I hope he didn’t bruise his foot hitting me on the noggin,” he quipped.
“They kissed and made up,” said Pat Valenzuela, who rode Sunday Silence to victory in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.
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