Apprentice jockey Michael Straight was taken to Lutheran General Hospital
following an incident in the 8TH race Wednesday at Arlington Park.
Straight, 24, was riding Im No Genetleman (Whadjathink) in the 1 1/16-mile
race when his mount appeared to have clipped heels with another horse in the
vicinity of the quarter-pole and the rider fell to the track.
Straight was tended to by track paramedics and, after being stabilized, was
transported to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge for further evaluation.
Hospital officials indicated that his vital signs were good and that after
being checked for head and back injuries that the rider would likely undergo
surgery to stabilize the back sometime in the next 24 hours.
Straight’s parents and twin brother Matthew, who is also a jockey, traveled
to Chicago to be with the rider through his recovery.
Further information will be made available as it is received from the rider’s
family.