Veteran jockey Luis Saez, who won his second Belmont Stakes in June, is in stable condition at a hospital after falling from his mount at Keeneland. The incident occurred during the second race on the turf course, with the horse tripping over the rider but remaining uninjured. Saez was evaluated by UK HealthCare Medical Services and removed from his remaining mounts that day, including the Grade 1 Blue Grass feature.
Saez, a multiple graded stakes winner, was set to ride Admiral Dennis in the Blue Grass feature, which awards qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby. Jockey Manny Franco was scheduled to replace Saez aboard Admiral Dennis following the fall. Saez has had a successful career, winning the Belmont Stakes in 2021 and being a three-time Blue Grass winner.
The statement from Keeneland confirmed that Saez was placed on a board and into an ambulance after lying on the track for several minutes. Despite the fall, Saez’s horse, Fateful Lightning, was uninjured in the incident. Saez’s previous Belmont Stakes victory was with Dornoch, where he rode to a half-length victory over Mindframe in the 1½-mile race.
