Jockey Velasquez involved in Aqueduct accident

NEW YORK (AP) Prominent jockey Cornelio Velasquez has been taken to a hospital after an accident at Aqueduct.

Velasquez was taken from the track by ambulance Friday for an evaluation after complaining of shoulder pain. Two horses named Quick Money and Half Nelson died as a result of the spill in the eighth race.

A third horse, Velasquez's mount Laila's Jazz, also fell but apparently escaped serious injury.

Angel Serpa and Israel Rodriguez, the other two jockeys involved, were apparently uninjured.

Velasquez has ridden 177 winners this season, and his mounts have earned over $1.4 million. He is ranked 11th nationally in jockey purse earnings this year.

Quick Money clipped the heels of a rival in midstretch and went down. Laila's Jazz stumbled over the fallen horse. In the chain reaction, Half Nelson fell over Laila's Jazz.

Earlier on the card, Velasquez finished last aboard Dreaming of Cara in the $63,700 allowance feature for New York-bred fillies and mares.