Jockey Velazquez to Miss Kentucky Derby

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- John Velazquez will miss the Kentucky Derby with a broken shoulder blade and cracked ribs and could be out for as long as five months.

Velazquez, who suffered the injuries during a spill at Keeneland, was set to ride Bluegrass Cat in the Derby in two weeks. Owners of the 3-year-old colt were looking for another rider.

''Our prayers have been answered that he wasn't injured any worse,'' Bill Casner, chairman of WinStar Farm, which owns Bluegrass Cat, said Friday. ''It was pretty amazing that he came out of it with no more injuries than he has.''

Velazquez, one of the nation's top jockeys who rides regularly for trainer Todd Pletcher, was injured Thursday after riding Up an Octave to victory in the Forerunner Stakes. The colt collapsed and rolled over the rider shortly after crossing the finish line. Up an Octave was euthanized.

Casner said it was too early to speculate on who might replace Velazquez, but WinStar racing manager Elliott Walden said Ramon Dominguez was a possibility.

Velazquez, who was hospitalized overnight, was released Friday after being diagnosed with a broken right shoulder blade, bruised sternum and two cracked ribs, said Tristan Barry, Pletcher's assistant.

He will be out three to five months and there is ''absolutely no chance'' of appearing in the Derby, Barry said.

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