Tampa Bay Downs Rider Diaz Suffers Dislocated Shoulder

Tampa Bay Downs jockey Hector Diaz Jr. suffered a dislocated left shoulder April 18 when he was unseated in the stretch run of the seventh race on the turf after his mount, 3-year-old filly Hidden Recipe, clipped heels with Mia Vita. Hidden Recipe finished the course riderless. Trainer Tim Hamm, who also owns the filly under his Blazing Meadows Farm banner, reported today that she came out of the race in good condition. "Thank goodness, she is fine. She looks good and ate up well," Hamm said. Mia Vita, who was ridden by Samy Camacho, finished third behind winner Whirlwind and runner-up Lizzie Baby but was disqualified and placed last by the stewards for coming in and causing Hidden Recipe to clip heels. The 35-year-old Diaz went to a hospital after the race and had his shoulder put back into place. He was still sore Saturday but said he is in much less pain than he was Friday night. "I'm going to see an orthopedic specialist Monday," Diaz said of when he may be able to return. "I know it's part of the business, and I feel grateful because it could have been worse. All I'm thinking of now is recovering as quick as possible." The Tampa Bay Downs stewards issued an eight-day suspension to Camacho for careless riding for the incident. He will begin serving it at the start of next season's meet, since he is set to begin a five-day suspension April 27 for a previous careless riding infraction. His agent, Mike Moran, said Camacho plans to ride at Tampa Wednesday, Friday, and next Saturday. Tampa Bay Downs will require Diaz to get a medical release before allowing him to resume riding. He said he has not ruled out returning before the final day of the season May 4. He is eighth in the track standings with 30 victories. Camacho, who has won four consecutive Oldsmar riding titles, rode three winners Saturday.