Top jockey Luis Saez suffers injury on Blue Grass Stakes day at Keeneland

Cameron Drummond, Lexington Herald-Leader on Apr 8, 2025

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LEXINGTON, Ky. — A top jockey for a Kentucky Derby contender was injured Tuesday afternoon during an undercard race at Keeneland.

Luis Saez — who rode Essential Quality and Dornoch to wins in the 2021 and 2024 editions of the Belmont Stakes — fell from his mount, Fateful Lightning, during Tuesday’s second race at Keeneland, which was held on the track’s turf course.

Saez received medical attention for several minutes while down on the turf, before being strapped to a backboard and placed in the back of a Keeneland emergency medical services vehicle.

Saez was supposed to ride Admiral Dennis later Tuesday in the 101st running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Toyota Blue Grass Stakes. In that race — which was won by Burnham Square — Manny Franco rode Admiral Dennis to a fourth-place finish. Admiral Dennis will not be running in the Kentucky Derby.

Saez is also the rider for Tappan Street, a Brad Cox trainee who has already qualified for the Kentucky Derby.

On social media, Keeneland posted the following statement:

“After being unseated in race 2, jockey Luis Saez is being evaluated by UK HealthCare Medical Services and in stable condition. He will be off his mounts for the remainder of the day. No. 9 Fateful Lighting returned to the barn and was uninjured.”

On March 29, Saez was aboard Tappan Street as that 3-year-old won the Grade 1 Florida Derby to book his spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate.

The 32-year-old Saez, who is from Panama, won the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland in 2016 (Brody’s Cause), 2021 (Essential Quality) and 2023 (Tapit Trice), as well as the 2022 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs with Secret Oath.

The 2025 edition of the Grade 1, $5 million Kentucky Derby will take place May 3 at Churchill Downs in Louisville.