No wrongdoing found in teen jockey's death at Indiana Grand

A board investigating a fatal horse-racing accident at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino has found no wrongdoing by the 17-year-old victim or any other jockeys.

"It was an unfortunate accident," Indiana Horse Racing Commission Senior Steward Stan Bowker said Friday.

The three member board of stewards handed over its findings to the Indiana Horse Racing Commission, after reviewing videotapes of Tuesday night's spill at the Shelbyville racetrack, interviewing jockeys in the race and talking to trainers and veterinarians.

Juan Saez, 17, was killed after he was thrown from his horse, Montezuma Express, while rounding a turn during the eighth race.

Bowker said Saez's horse inadvertently clipped the back heel of the horse in front of him. Montzuma Express was thrown off balance, fell and Saez was tossed from the mount onto the dirt track, where he was then trampled by horses behind him.

Saez, an apprentice rider from Panama known for his beaming smile, died later in the hospital of blunt trauma to the head.

Bowker said investigators commonly look for signs that jockeys intentionally impeded other racers, for example by bumping their horses against the rail or striking another horse with their whips. They also probe for signs of carelessness.

He said the board found no evidence of that in the Saez race.

Penalties in such a case can range from fines to suspensions to license revocation.

Bowker declined to discuss details of the accident until the Racing Commission had reviewed the report Friday afternoon.

Call Star reporter John Tuohy at 444-6418 and follow on Twitter @john_tuohy.