Big A Cancels Racing After Jockeys Protest
By Paul Moran, Newsday, Melville, N.Y.
Feb. 4–Jockeys at Aqueduct walked off the job in protest yesterday when ambulance personnel refused a request from jockey Norberto Arroyo Jr. to be taken to North Shore Hospital after suffering a bruised eye and a shoulder injury during the running of the fifth race and delivered him instead to Jamaica Hospital.
New York Racing Association officials canceled the last four races on the program and today’s card.
Under protocol set by the Regional Emergency Medical Services Council of New York City, ambulance drivers are required to take an injured person to the nearest trauma unit, which is Jamaica Hospital. Treatment at Jamaica became a point of contention after Jose Santos, who suffered back, chest and rib injuries in a spill on Thursday, complained about the treatment he received there. Santos was later moved to North Shore, where he remains hospitalized.
Jockeys met with NYRA officials yesterday to make clear that in the event of an injury they wished to be treated at North Shore. Arroyo was injured when thrown from his mount, Cadillac Cruiser, who broke down while on the lead entering the backstretch. Eddie Martin Jr., whose mount fell over Cadillac Cruiser, escaped injury.
“In years past there was an unwritten rule that a guy could go to North Shore if [he] chose,” jockey Mike Luzzi said. “After the [Santos] incident, we met with management before the races and told them that in case of a spill today we would like to be taken to North Shore.
“[Arroyo] was asking to be taken to North Shore and he was told he was being taken to Jamaica. We want the best care and evidently it’s not at Jamaica. A lot of us have had problems there. I’ve never heard a good story about Jamaica Hospital.”
Senior vice president Bill Nader, who accompanied Arroyo to the hospital, said he is uncertain that changing the protocol is within NYRA’s power. “Somehow, we got to get everyone together quickly so we know what our options are and what they’re not,” he said.
Ole Pedersen, vice president of emergency medicine at Jamaica Hospital, said he was unaware of any issues concerning the care of jockeys.
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Copyright (c) 2007, Newsday, Melville, N.Y.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.
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