Jockey Rafael Bejarano, who sustained serious facial injuries in a spill
Wednesday during the 3RD race on Del Mar’s opening-day program, was reported
doing well at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, California, on Thursday by
his agent, Joe Ferrer.
“He’s beginning to heal and he is expected to be released from the hospital
Friday,” Ferrer said. “There’s no timetable on when he might be completely
healed, but the doctors tell me facial bones heal faster than any of the other
bones in the body.”
Ferrer said Bejarano underwent surgery early Thursday for multiple facial
fractures, including a broken jaw, cheek and nose. He said the fractured jaw was
not as serious as first thought and it wasn’t necessary to wire the rider’s jaw
shut, as is often the case with such an injury. Bejarano will be able to eat
soft food.
As for a return to action, Ferrer added it will depend on the healing
process. However, he said Bejarano was told by doctors that when the pain and
the swelling in his face go away he could ride with a mask, much as basketball
players do with similar injuries.
Bejarano, who at present is the nation’s fourth leading rider in money won
for 2009, was injured when the horse he was riding, Mi Rey (Arg) (Louis
Quatorze), fractured his right leg and unseated the rider. After he hit the
ground, Bejarano was struck by a trailing horse.