Arlington jockey injured after horse tumbles over rail
One of Arlington International Racecourse's all-time leading jockeys was injured Saturday after being thrown from his horse during a race on the turf.
Jockey Chris Emigh, 45, was riding Fitz's Storm during the second race at the Arlington Heights racetrack when the horse collided with a temporary turf rail, said Arlington spokesman Brian Spencer.
The horse fell and flipped on its back, throwing Emigh to the ground. Emigh was motionless until an ambulance arrived, which Spencer said is what riders are instructed to do after such a fall to prevent further injuries.
Emigh was alert, conscious and talking while he was being transported, Spencer said. He was listed in good condition at Northwest Community Hospital Saturday afternoon. Specific details about his condition were not available, but Spencer said he suffered a laceration and needed stitches. He said a CT scan was performed and the results were negative.
The horse was able to get up and run, but one of its legs was bleeding. It was loaded into an equine ambulance and taken off the track.
The turf rail broke apart, as it's designed to do upon impact, which minimized the horse's injuries, Spencer said.
Such an accident is unusual in horse racing, Spencer said.
“It seemed like some sort of a freak accident,” he said.