Turcotte spokesman: Jockey could be heading home soon

A spokesman for Ron Turcotte says the jockey who rode Secretariat to the 1973 Triple Crown hopes to be released from a hospital shortly and return home as he recovers from breaking his legs in a one-vehicle crash nearly four weeks ago.

Leonard Lusky said Thursday that the Hall of Famer's ''recuperation is going well, and he hopes to be released soon, begin physical therapy and continue his recovery.'' He remains ''upbeat and spirited'' in a hospital in New Brunswick, Canada.

Turcotte, who has been paralyzed from the waist down after a riding spill in 1978, was hurt when the van he was driving hit an icy patch and flipped on its side on the Trans-Canada Highway near his home in Grand Falls, police said.

Lusky added that the 73-year-old Turcotte is thankful for the support from friends and fans, and is still sporting blue and white casts - the colors of Secretariat's owner Meadow Stable.