Neck injury threatens Mig's career: 6/2-Announces retirement..
 

Injury threatens Migliore's career
By David Grening
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Jockey Richard Migliore's riding career could be in jeopardy after it was discovered last week that he refractured the vertebrae in his neck. Migliore will undergo surgery at a Manhattan hospital next week.

It is believed Migliore suffered the fracture when he was thrown from a horse Jan. 23 at Aqueduct, but the injury was not diagnosed until Migliore met with a neurologist in Manhattan last Monday. Migliore first suffered a broken neck in a spill at Belmont Park in 1988.

"Basically, I've been riding the last two months with a broken neck," Migliore said.

Migliore said four vertebrae in his neck - the C-3 C-4, C-5, and C-6 - will need to be fused together. It is unclear how long Migliore will be out of action or whether he will be able to ride again. Dr. Andrew Hecht will perform the surgery at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Manhattan.

On Friday, Migliore said he wanted to get healthy first before confronting the issue of whether he would ride again.

"The possibility does exist," Migliore said when asked whether he may have ridden his last race. "But I don't want to be too premature one way or the other. I want to know I can go forward with my life in a productive manner before making any hard and fast decisions.

"I'm confronting too many things right now, that the possibility I've ridden my last race is a little too emotional for me to think about," he said. "I get choked up."

Migliore, who turned 46 last month, has won 4,450 races, and his horses have earned more than $160 million. He was the leading rider on the New York Racing Association circuit as an apprentice in 1981 and as a journeyman in 1985. He has won 10 riding titles at Aqueduct.

"I want to ride without a shadow of a doubt, if the doctors allow me to go forward," Migliore said.

Migliore was diagnosed with a concussion when he was thrown from Honest Wildcat during the stretch run of a race over the inner track Jan. 23. He returned two weeks later and had ridden regularly since then. But in the last few weeks, Migliore had been riding in pain, even March 27, when he won four races from five mounts.

Migliore said he has ridden in pain throughout his career, but "honestly, I've never been in this much pain all my life. The day I won four I couldn't drive to and from the track."


Riding for two months with a broken neck. He is the toughest jockey and possibly the toughest man I have ever seen. I hope this is not the end of his career but if it is, it will be a travesty if he is not in the Hall of Fame.

Jesus, that's awful news. But it's remarkable how tough he is. Best of Luck Richie and get well soon.

We'll keep 'The Mig' in our thoughts & prayers for a speedy and healthy return

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

A real class act.

Best of luck to Rich for a healthy return. Like Pmac said...a real class act.

I hope he retires. And that's not out of meanness. He really needs to call it a career for the sake of his family. Nice guys tend to get effed over in the worst ways and he's tempting fate by coming back from that surgery.

What MaTH said. :)

Feel better!

One of the great segments on ATR. Pure emotion coming thru the satellite radio. Jockey colonies across the land could use more guys like the Mig.

Mig,
I want you to know we had a horse race against one that you rode in the Lone Star Derby 2 years ago. Your horse was Leonides. Entering the top of the stretch, our horse was second and you were 3rd. By mid stretch a hole opened up and you hit it within a half second. It was such a cerebral move. It made the difference in you finishing 2nd and us 4th.

You will leap this hurdle as you have always done in the past. Great luck with the surgery and your recovery!

Can't the racing gods cut this guy a break?!~ Jeez, what a bummer.

You're really a class act, Mig. Bailey says you're one of the best, and he should know.

I hope the fates smile down on you sometime soon.

That sucks, best of luck. I'd be sure to get 2nd, 3rd , and 4th opinions before having 4 vertebrae in my neck fused.

couldn't agree more... will definitely keep the Mig in my thoughts.

Mig was on ATR from 5:05-5:35 explaining the situation and taking calls including one from Tom Durkin. He wants to get healthy first and then evaluate, but talks like he fully expects to ride again.

Archives will be up in the next 30 min. (7:30 or so) HERE...

24/7 stream rolling HERE and will feature his visits at about 8:10p, 11:10p. 2:10a, etc.

Best of luck to one of the good guys. Whatever happens, I'm sure we'll hear plenty from Mig in the future in any capacity he chooses.

They don't come any tougher than Richie. Imagine riding, in the winter no less, for two months with a broken neck. It's incredible.

This game is better for having Mig. And, my life is better for having him as a friend. It would be an understatement to say I wish him the best.

agree 100%. the phrase class act gets thrown around a lot, but at least with the mig it is well deserved.

best of luck in recovery and whatever the future holds.

Mig is very well spoken as I've heard him in a few TV and radio segments. If he doesn't come back to racing I think TV could be an option for him. Either way I hope he gets better soon. He's been an asset to the sport.

We're all thinking of you Rich -

Get well soon !!!

Steve,

Can we send him something in the hosptital from DT and ATR? Maybe you take a collection and send him some flowers? Too good a guy not to reach out an pass along our group thoughts>

Will definitely provide address for cards/notes, etc..

Agree with this. He's an A+ dude and we don't want to see anything more happen.

Get well Rich.