Four horses were involved in a nasty spill as the field was about to enter the stretch of Friday's Wild Applause Stakes at Saratoga, but none of the horses nor jockeys were seriously injured in the incident.
I Love Giraffes, the mount of Paco Lopez, appeared to take a bad step and crashed to the turf, causing a chain reaction behind him involving Paris Carver (Javier Castellano), Smexy (Tyler Gaffalione) and Lovely Grey (Dylan Davis), none of which could avoid the fallen I Love Giraffes.
According to the New York Racing Association's Keith McCalmont, jockeys Lopez, Gaffalione and Davis were able to walk off the track under their own power, while Castellano was transported to First Aid by ambulance.
Lopez and Davis were passed fit to accept their remaining mounts on the program, with Lopez winning the featured Schuylerville Stakes aboard Harper's Corner (Speaker's Corner). Davis elected to take off his remaining rides for precautionary reasons. It was later reported that Castellano was taken to Saratoga Hospital for precautionary X-rays, though he was alert and able to move all extremities, according to Daily Racing Form's Mike Welsch.
The Wild Applause was won by Bregman Family Racing's 11-4 favorite To a Flame (Justify).
Lovely Grey is resting in her stall. Minor lacerations but otherwise is ok. pic.twitter.com/B7DMBiM0C7
— KD (@kelseyjdanner) July 3, 2026
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
