Martin apparently is not paralyzed, but suffered three neck fractures, when his horse, Phire Power, broke down after the finish of the 300-yard sixth race and Martin was thrown to the ground.
Martin has ridden nearly 3,000 winners and the earners of more than $46.4 million during his career, which includes a record seven All American Futurity wins. Last year, he won three G1 stakes, aboard Double Down Special, Noconi and Hes Too Icy For Me, and $3.2 million.
Sunday, September 4, Martin was also slated to ride Prospect To The Top in the Grade 1, $1.3-million All American Derby, and two-time champion Noconi in the Grade 3, $40,000 All American Gold Cup.
The All American Futurity winner’s purse this year is a record $1.2 million and the Derby winner will receive $658,380.
Roy Baldillez will now ride Ochoa and Larry Payne picked up the mount on Mr Ease 123 in Monday’s Grade 1, $2.4-million All American Futurity, according to the horses’ trainer Dwayne “Sleepy†Gilbreath; Baldillez was originally named to ride Mr Ease 123.
In the All American Gold Cup on Sunday, Noconi will now be ridden by Ramon Sanchez, for trainer Paul Jones.