Jockey Kent Desormeaux on mend from bruised lung, five broken ribs
Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux is recovering from five broken ribs and a bruised lung after being kicked in the chest by his mount a week ago.
The 44-year-old rider was back at Santa Anita on Sunday and says he feels ready to return to the saddle, but he's day to day.
Desormeaux says the pain in his chest has dissipated enough so that he's not worried about coughing or sneezing. He credits a safety vest worn during races for saving his life. The vest is made from materials similar to those used in bulletproof vests.
Desormeaux was unseated during the post parade on Sept. 28 when his mount, a 2-year-old filly entered in her first race, reared and unseated him. He got up and while trying to remount he was kicked by the filly's hind leg, sending him reeling backward about 10 feet.
Desormeaux is a three-time Kentucky Derby winner who returned to riding in Southern California full time in May.
