Arlington apprentice Straight seriously injured

[Scav]

http://www.drf.com/news/article/106720.html

[brianwspencer]

Said it elsewhere, will say it here -- hope he finds a way to get through this.

Like the kid quite a bit and thought he had been riding really well that last month or two, with lots of confidence.

Thoughts are with him, as it didn't look good at all.

[GBBob]

Originally Posted by Scav

http://www.drf.com/news/article/106720.html

As I know you know, it was a bit pre-mature to say in the article that clipping heels may have caused the problem. Lyndi Wade has said that the horse had a heart attack and fell "into" the other one.

Either way, incredibly tragic and best wishes to Mike.

[Cannon Shell]

This sucks

[dellinger63]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

This sucks

Big time tough job....

[CapperZeke]

Can someone post the article, I can't get to DRF. Thanks. He's my cousin's son.

[GBBob]

Originally Posted by CapperZeke

Can someone post the article, I can't get to DRF. Thanks. He's my cousin's son.

Apprentice Michael Straight may be paralyzed
By Marty McGee
Apprentice rider Michael Straight possibly has been left paralyzed in his lower body after being seriously injured when his mount fell in the eighth and final race Wednesday at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, Ill.

A friend who was with Straight and his family until late in the night at Luther General Hospital in Park Ridge, Ill., said doctors treating the 24-year-old rider informed them that Straight had suffered four fractured vertebrae. The friend, speaking on condition of anonymity, said family and friends were told to "pray for the best but expect the worst" and that the prognosis for Straight being able to walk again was "very grim."

It was initially feared that Straight might have suffered major head or brain trauma, but by Thursday morning, doctors were optimistic that was not the case, according to the friend. Straight was scheduled to undergo surgery and further evaluation of his spinal condition Thursday morning. The initial prognosis was that Straight would continue to have use of his upper body.

Further details were unavailable early Thursday. Arlington spokesman Dave Zenner and Straight's agent, Michelle Barsotti, both declined comment, citing privacy issues and deference to Straight's family. Zenner said officials at the Churchill Downs Inc.-owned track hoped to issue a media release at some point Thursday.

Straight, 24, was injured in the 1 1/16-mile Polytrack race when his mount, Im No Gentleman, fell suddenly when appearing to clip the heels of Conte Ridge nearing the quarter pole. Im No Gentleman, a 3-year-old gelding bred and owned by Jay Collier and trained by Clayton Pierce, was racing near the back of the pack of the $10,000 maidens when the spill occurred. Im No Gentleman died as a result of the accident. There were no other horses or jockeys seriously injured.

Straight graduated last year from the North American Riding Academy, the school founded and operated in Lexington, Ky., by retired Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron. He is the identical twin brother of jockey Matthew Straight, who graduated from the McCarron riding academy one year earlier and has been riding lately at Ellis Park in Kentucky.

The Straight brothers grew up in East Greenbush, N.Y., and became interested in the sport by attending the races at nearby Saratoga. Michael won with the first mount of his career on March 6 at Tampa Bay Downs. In all, he has ridden 39 winners from 372 mounts, with 23 of his wins coming at Arlington.

Arlington chairman Richard Duchossois arranged for a charter jet to fly the twins' parents to be with Michael on Wednesday night. Matthew was driven by a friend from Kentucky to be with his brother.

The spill was the second at the Arlington meet that resulted in severe injury. Rene Douglas suffered a major spinal injury in a May 23 race and continues to recuperate in the Chicago area.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by GBBob

As I know you know, it was a bit pre-mature to say in the article that clipping heels may have caused the problem. Lyndi Wade has said that the horse had a heart attack and fell "into" the other one.

Either way, incredibly tragic and best wishes to Mike.

You had the top 8 horses seperated by just 2.5 lengths when it happened - and the horse was in and around a wall of horses .. so it's hard to tell.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

You had the top 8 horses seperated by just 2.5 lengths when it happened - and the horse was in and around a wall of horses .. so it's hard to tell.

Janice Ely, the trainer of Wade's horse, is on another message board saying that Wade told her that the horse just fell and that Ely's horse had nothing to show clipped heels (no cuts)

[Rudeboyelvis]

Just saw this - I am ill...

Was going to have him ride for me at Tampa on Derby day, but he was previously committed...Was one of the most promising bugs I've seen here.

[Riot]

Terrible tragedy, especially being one of McCarron's first students.

A dangerous sport, even with all the safety improvements to protect jocks (padded starting gates, helmets, vests, safety rail, overgirth, etc) Thirty-five mph balanced between your toes and the tension in your arms. Crazy brave guys. And girls.