Jockey Eibar Coa was scheduled to undergo surgery Saturday at Memorial
Regional Hospital on his C4 vertebrae, which was broken in a spill following the
finish of Friday’s 6TH race at Gulfstream Park.
Family spokesperson Tito Fuentes, Coa’s agent, said Saturday morning that Coa
has feeling in his body but no motion. Fuentes added that Coa was alert and
talking. He had been visited throughout the evening and morning by a number of
fellow riders and horsemen.
“Eibar and his family are in the thoughts and prayers of the entire
Gulfstream and racing community,” Gulfstream President and General Manager Steve
Calabro said.
Jockey Paco Lopez, who was also unseated from his mount in the spill, was
treated for an elbow chip and was released from the hospital Friday evening.
Before being released, Lopez spent several hours with Coa.
“The main thing is Eibar is at the best possible hospital and getting the
best possible care,” said Terry Meyocks, National Manager of the Jockeys’ Guild.