by Mike Curry

Jockey Rafael Bejarano, the leading rider at the 2008 Del Mar meeting, suffered multiple facial fractures in a frightening spill in the third race on Wednesday’s opening day card at the seaside California track when his mount, Mi Rey (Arg), broke down near the eighth pole.

Bejarano and Mi Rey were positioned on the inside just behind the leader in the stretch of the six-furlong claiming race when the eight-year-old Louis Quatorze gelding took a bad step. Bejarano was unseated in a dangerous spot near the rail and was kicked in the head by another horse.

Bejarano was taken off the track on a stretcher and taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla for examination. According to Philip Sanderson, M.D., the doctor who initially examined Bejarano in the track first-aid station, X-rays showed Bejarano suffered fractures of the jaw, nose, and orbital bones in the spill.

Bejarano was taken off his mounts for the remainder of the card.

A Del Mar official confirmed Mi Rey suffered a catastrophic injury to his right front leg and was euthanized. A multiple Group 2 winner in his native Argentine, Mi Rey won ten of 37 career starts and earned $199,932. Trained by Doug O’Neill for owner Greg Guiol, Mi Rey was produced by the Southern Halo mare My Honor.

Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor