Travers jockeys donate purse earnings to injured rider
Straight
Jockeys riding in Saturday’s Travers S. (G1) at Saratoga have pledged 10
percent of their purse earnings from the race to establish a fund for
23-year-old apprentice jockey Michael Straight, who was critically injured in a
fall at Arlington Park on Wednesday.
The fund will be set up through the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund, a
charitable organization based in Encino, California, whose mission is to assist
injured and disabled riders.
“This was an easy decision,” said John Velazquez, chairman of the Jockeys’
Guild and rider of Quality Road (Elusive Quality), the morning-line favorite in
the Travers. “What happened to Michael is a tragedy and we want to do whatever
we can to help support him and his family during this difficult time.”
In addition to Velazquez, the other six riders in the Travers — Julien
Leparoux, Ramon Dominguez, Calvin Borel, Alan Garcia, Kent Desormeaux and Edgar
Prado — will donate 10 percent of their purse earnings.
“Our family is overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the industry,”
said Matthew Straight, Michael’s twin brother who is also a jockey. “We are so
grateful and appreciative. We need to all stay positive and keep praying.”
Matthew Straight issued an update regarding the condition of his brother
Saturday morning.
“Mike is now responsive to commands,” he said in the statement. “We know it’s
going to be a slow step-by-step process but we are staying optimistic and
staying strong. He is scheduled to undergo a few procedures today.
“Please continue to keep Mike in your thoughts and prayers.”
Michael Straight was riding Im No Genetleman (Whadjathink) in the 8TH race on
Wednesday at Arlington when his mount appeared to clip heels with another horse
in the vicinity of the quarter-pole and fell, sending his rider to the track.
Straight suffered injuries to the spine, including four broken vertebrae.
Doctors at Lutheran General Hospital performed spinal surgery on Thursday and
inserted a flexible rod to stabilize the spine.
Straight, a native of East Greenbush, New York, graduated from Chris
McCarron’s North American Racing Academy in 2008. He won the first race of his
career at Tampa Bay Downs in March 2009 and has ridden a total of 39 winners in
372 races.
The Jockeys’ Guild is making plans to put together a national effort to
support Michael and his family at next Saturday’s races across the country.
Details will be released as soon as plans are finalized.
Donations to the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockeys Fund, earmarked for Michael
Straight should be sent to P.O. Box 18470, Encino, CA, 91416.