In the early stages of the Saturday opener at Gulfstream Park, Roscoe Village (Kantharos) unseated her jockey Jorge Ruiz, the siren was prompted which caused several riders to pull up their mounts and the race was declared a no contest according to a press release by the track. All money wagered, including multi-race bets, was refunded.
Scheduled as an optional claimer to go a mile on the turf, the filly in question broke from the 11 hole and appeared to be caught between runners at the rear of the field in the first furlong. Roscoe Village went down, which unseated Ruiz, but she quickly stood up and began to race once again. Outriders were able to secure her and she walked off the course.
A FanDuel post on X said that the jockey's location on the grass caused the track's siren to sound and several riders simply stopped. The stewards ruled the race out even though Steel Lute (Midnight Lute) went on to win the optional claimer. No purse money was awarded.
Ruiz, who had use of his extremities before entering the ambulance, but reported having soreness and neck pain, was taken to nearby Aventura Hospital for an evalution and was declared off his mounts for the afternoon.
“The safety of our jockeys and horses is always the priority at Gulfstream and all 1/ST Racing venues,” said Bill Badgett, executive director of Florida Racing Operations for 1/ST Racing. “We're very happy that Roscoe Village was uninjured, and Jorge Ruiz was not seriously injured thanks to our stewards, jockeys and outriders.”
The first race at Gulfstream Park was declared a No Contest – @FanduelAnthony and @larrycollmus explain the incident as well as an update on jockey @jorgeruizjockey and his mount.
All wagers will be refunded. pic.twitter.com/DRxhvagN2l
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 28, 2024
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