The eighth race at Churchill Downs Oct. 30 was called off in mid-race after jockey Alex Achard was injured in a one-horse spill entering the first turn of the 1 1/16-mile race on a sloppy track.
Achard was aboard Storyteller Racing and Schroeck Racing's Paddock Boss, who fell when in tight quarters among a bunched field in the early stages of the allowance optional claiming race for 2-year-olds, unseating his jockey. One trailing horse, Frank's Honor, appeared to make slight contact with the fallen horse while attempting to dodge him to the outside. That horse continued into the first turn in last place after being steadied by jockey Brian Hernandez Jr.
Achard was conscious when examined and complained of pain in his right knee, according to Darren Rogers, senior director of media services at Churchill Downs. Achard was transported to University of Louisville Hospital, he added.
The jockey, who began his career in France before riding full-time in the U.S. beginning in 2018, has ridden 48 winners this year from 317 mounts. Last year, he scored his biggest U.S. win on In Love in the Keeneland Turf Mile Stakes (G1T).
Paddock Boss, a son of Twirling Candy trained by Rodolphe Brisset, was euthanized with an unrecoverable injury to his left front leg, according to Rogers.
Refunds were issued for wagers placed specifically on the eighth race. Multi-race bets returned consolation payoffs, and payoffs with one less winner in required sequences.
