[jwkniska]

Saw this on AP's website....

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Jockeys riding in Saturday's Grade 1, $1 million Shadwell Travers Stakes have pledged 10 percent of their purse earnings from the race to establish a fund for 23-year-old apprentice jockey Michael Straight, who was critically injured in a fall at Arlington Park on Wednesday.

The fund will be set up through the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization based in Encino, Calif., whose mission is to assist injured and disabled riders.

"This was an easy decision," said John Velazquez, chairman of the Jockeys' Guild and rider of Quality Road, the morning line favorite in the Shadwell Travers. "What happened to Michael is a tragedy and we want to do whatever we can to help support him and his family during this difficult time."

In addition to Velazquez, all six other riders in the Shadwell Travers - Julien Leparoux, Ramon Dominguez, Calvin Borel, Alan Garcia, Kent Desormeaux and Edgar Prado - will donate 10 percent of their purse earnings.

"Our family is overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the industry," said Matthew Straight, Michael's twin brother, also a jockey. "We are so grateful and appreciative. We need to all stay positive and keep praying."

Michael Straight was injured and taken to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Ill. following an incident in the eighth race Wednesday at Arlington Park. Straight fell from his mount and suffered injuries to the spine, including four broken vertebrae. Doctors at Lutheran General Hospital performed spinal surgery on Thursday and inserted a flexible rod to stabilize the spine.