Hall of Fame jockey Espinoza fractures vertebra in neck in Del Mar fall

Jockey Victor Espinoza fractured the C3 vertebra in his neck on Sunday after a fall during training at Del Mar.

Espinoza's agent, Brian Beach, reported the rider would stay overnight at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla for observation.

Beach said there have been no signs of paralysis and no other fractures but that Espinoza is experiencing numbness in his left shoulder and arm from a "stinger," an nerve injury often associated with football.

"He has regained about 50 per cent of the feeling already," Beach said. "Doctors are optimistic he'll fully recover fairly quickly."

Beach said he was "not sure how long (Espinoza) will be out at this point."

Espinoza's injury occurred during a workout aboard Grade 2 Kona Gold Stakes winner Bobby Abu Dhabi. Espinoza was unseated as the colt fell near the wire. Horse and rider were motionless on the track immediately after the fall.

Bobby Abu Dhabi died from an apparent cardiac event, according to Brian Trump, the racing manager for Rockingham Ranch, which owned the Macho Uno colt in partnership with David Bernsen. Trump said the Peter Miller-trained Bobby Abu Dhabi was working for a start in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes on Saturday.

Espinoza, 46, was inducted into the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame in 2017. He rode American Pharoah to Triple Crown victory in 2015.

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