1/27/2022
Alex Cruz the 2-time defending jockey champion at Emerald Downs was home recovering after he was thrown from his mount in the 8th race at Turf Paradise this past Tuesday. It was the 8th and final race of the day and Cruz was aboard “Macedonian Ruler” breaking from the 10 post on the turf. As they were rounding the first turn it looked like Macedonian Ruler took a bad step and stumbled tossing Cruz straight up in the air and in front of on-coming traffic. The horse ran on and appeared to be fine as he circled the track with the other horses.
Cruz’s fiance Nicole Disdier communicated with ESN that Alex was home and dealing with a sore back and was expected to be back in the saddle later this week or by early next week. Currently Cruz is in 3rd place at Turf Paradise with a 37-33-29 record from 198 mounts. he is winning at a rate of 19% and is 50% in the money and has racked up a little more than 680k in purse money.
Cruz has won back-to-back jockey titles over the past 2 seasons at Emerald Downs and over 2 seasons has a record of 147-152-135 from 743 mounts for a 19.8 win percent and in the money at 58% with a combined earned purse of more than 1.67 million dollars. Cruz is expected to be back at Emerald Downs for the 2022 season that begins on Sunday, May 15 for a 54-day meet. Cruz will attempt to become the first jockey to win the riding title in 3 consecutive seasons.
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