Hastings Jockey in hospital with serious injuries following three-horse
mishap at Hastings Racecourse and Slots Saturday May 15th

VANCOUVER, May 17 /CNW/ - A three-horse chain reaction accident at Hastings Racecourse Saturday afternoon has left jockey April Friesen in hospital with multiple injuries.

Friesen was riding Market Flair in the eighth race when the mishap occurred in the stretch. Friesen, a veteran jockey and former trainer, is in serious but stable condition at the hospital. Friesen's family is with her.

The two other riders involved - Ismael Mosqueira (Seliman) and Isaias Cardensa (Willie Ketchum) - were shaken up but uninjured. Mosqueira raced Sunday but Cardenas took the day off. All three horses from Saturday's spill were unharmed.

Track Stewards are looking into the mishap and will announce findings and or penalties shortly.

For further information: Howard Blank, VP Media, Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, [phone]; Raj Mutti, GM, Hastings Racecourse and Slots, [phone]