Jockey, 72 - in critical condition

[AeWingnut]

Effingham Daily News

ALTAMONT — Sonny Dailey, one of the jockeys injured in a two-horse collision on Friday during thoroughbred racing at the 66th Annual Effingham County Fair in Altamont, was airlifted to Carle Clinic in Champaign on Friday and is listed in critical condition.

Effingham County speed superintendent Dean Wetherell spoke with Dailey’s wife, who said Dailey was treated and X-rayed at St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham before being airlifted to Champaign because of the extent of his injuries.

Dailey, 72, of Mattoon, has been diagnosed with bleeding on the brain, a punctured lung and multiple fractures. Doctors at Carle Clinic induced Dailey into a coma to help treat his injuries.

No information was readily available on the condition of Jose Lopez — the other jockey injured in the accident.

Dailey’s mount, Hero’s Sandwich, veered off the track soon after the start of the open half-mile thoroughbred race. Dailey tried to ease Hero’s Sandwich back on the running surface but collided with Lopez and Ilko’s Express in doing so. Both riders were thrown and initially treated on the track by two ambulances on scene.