Doocy Serious but Stable After Breaking Neck in Spill

Jockey Tim Doocy, who suffered a broken neck in a spill at Golden Gate Fields, was listed in serious but stable condition Thursday at Alta Bates Hospital.

There were no indications of paralysis, hospital spokeswoman Carol Regalado said.

Doocy, 35, was injured Wednesday in a fall from his mount, Spizee, who stumbled shortly after the start of the second race.

“In the fall, he landed headfirst. He hit the ground pretty hard,” track spokesman Tom Ferrall said.

Spizee stumbled when she clipped heels with another horse. Neither horse was injured, Ferrall said.

Doocy’s physician, Michael Charles, said the fractured neck vertebra was stable and would not require surgery. Full recovery will take about three months, he said.

“He’s in very, very good spirits,” Charles said. “He might have to stay in the hospital for a few more days because I want to do some more tests.

Doocy had 33 wins through the first 69 days of the Golden Gate meet, including victories aboard Forty Niner Days in the $200,000 San Francisco Mile March 23 and the $100,000 All American Handicap last Saturday.