A Jockey Is Hospitalized After Falling From Horse During Race
A Bay Area jockey had a scary moment just days before Christmas.
It happened in seconds, Alderson was aboard Expialidocious when his life flashed before his eyes. Less than two minutes into the fourth race at the Tampa Bay Downs a horse drifted out in front of Expialidocious causing him to clip the heels of the horse and throw Alderson to the turf. Just after falling to the ground the 24-year-old jockey was then kicked in the head by a trailing horse.
Harry Eder, who works with Alderson at the Fort Erie Race Track in Ontario, Canada, spoke with Fox 13 News about the incident.
“From the time you get on the horse you never know what could happen. It could happen to any rider. It’s just. It’s a shame to happen to anybody.”
He spoke through FaceTime to Fox 13 News and remarked about how scary it is to watch something like that unfold.
“We understand he took a really big hit to the head. I don’t know, after that, everybody is just hoping and praying that he makes it out and he just makes it through this,” Eder explained to the news station. “You’re thinking right away, He’s got a little girl. How bad of shape is he in?”
Luckily Alderson’s helmet took the biggest hit when he received the kick from the trailing horse. Jose Garcia, a fellow jockey, tweeted out a photo of the cracked helmet to show just how much force came behind that kick.
This is the Helmet of the jockey @Bryce Alderson who went down in the Turf in the 4 race at @TampaBayDownsFL @.@PDJFund pic.twitter.com/OaauR5yYma
— Jose A Garcia (@787josega) December 21, 2016
According to social media posts, loved ones said on Facebook that Alderson is in stable condition, but is not out of the woods yet. Medical staff is closely monitoring for brain swelling.
Online fundraisers have also been formed for the young jockey.
“He’s a hardworking young man. As a rider, he’s come up within the last few years, as far as his skills. He’s one of our top riders here at Ft. Erie. He’s well liked,” said Eder to Fox 13 News.
