Terribly sad news from Saratoga

[zippyneedsawin]

I remember watching Buckley ride at Finger Lakes. Terrible tragedy.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by zippyneedsawin

I remember watching Buckley ride at Finger Lakes. Terrible tragedy.

Me too. Hope he can pull through.

[Alan07]

An exercise rider who fell while galloping a horse early Monday at Oklahoma Training Track died Tuesday morning at Albany Medical Center.

Parker Buckley III, 40, a former jockey, was employed since April 2007 by Steve Asmussen, trainer of 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin.

Buckley, who was reportedly conscious right after the fall, was first taken to Saratoga Hospital, then flown to Albany where a CT scan revealed blood on the brain and doctors placed him in a medically-induced coma.

"I never met anybody who didn't like him," Asmussen said Tuesday, after visiting with Buckley's family in Albany. "I can say without hesitation, he's a great guy. Last winter he called me from Tampa and said he was going to quit riding.

"He's worked for me ever since."

The tragedy casts a shadow over this week's Travers Festival and a 2008 meet that by any account has been largely disappointing. Hampered by bad weather, high gas prices and a poor economy, attendance and handle figures are well below average and Saturday's Travers has none of the most high-profile horses from this year's Triple Crown races.
http://www.saratogian.com/site/news....d=602469&rfi=6

[docicu3]

My prayers for this man are sincere and heartfelt. Unfortunately this injury happens every day in this country with the same result whether on a horse, bike,in a car or on foot. The skull is not a forgiving encasement of the most precious thing it protects. The rise in pressure with a slow venous bleed of this sort after a fall or trauma is all too often fatal or profoundly debilitating which IMO is worse. Hopefully God will answer his prayers and ease his suffering....very very tragic....

[Cannon Shell]

Parker was a good guy. Far too young...

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Very, very sad....remember him well from Finger Lakes. My heart goes out to his family and friends....life sometimes is too short
RIP Parker

[MisterB]

Very saddened

This sport takes alot of hard workers