Hoss Talk

   It goes without saying that this past week has not been a good one for those little professional athletes with the biggest of   hearts.
   
   Last Sunday, Isiah Sala, a young jockey from Jersey City, N.J., died from injuries sustained after he was trampled during a race at Marquis Downs in Saskatoon.

   Sala, just 23, had been heralded as an apprentice jockey whose career was on the rise. During the week before the tragedy, reports circulating in the Hastings Park backstretch had Sala moving up the class ranks and riding here.
   
   His stay probably would not have lasted long, as he had other dreams. Like many young jockeys, Sala's goal was to make it as a regular rider on the glamour circuits of California and New York.
   
   Unfortunately, there is no happy ending to this story. A memorial service was held Thursday at Marquis Downs.
   
   * Jockey Brian Johnson, 45, remains in the special care trauma unit at Vancouver General Hospital. Johnson was injured Aug. 15 while riding Charming Peter in the sixth race at Hastings Park.
   
   Wayne Snow, Johnson's agent, said: "Brian suffered a collapsed lung, internal bleeding and a couple of his ribs were cracked and broken. He also had a large blood clot sitting in there and doctors had to eliminate that. It appears the danger period is over and now it is time for recovery."
   
   "I understand it was either a paramedic in the ambulance or the first person in emergency to reach him at the hospital who kept him alive. For a while there, it appeared we were going to lose him. For sure, I am going to double-check and send whoever it was a gift."
   
   The accident occurred when Johnson's mount broke a leg, throwing the rider to the ground. Using his veteran jockey instincts, Johnson rolled away from his own horse, only to be stepped on heavily by one of the trailing horses.
   
   A factor in saving Johnson's life was a decision made five years ago by the B.C. Racing Commission, making it mandatory that any person riding a horse both in the morning or during races wear a  flak-jacket vest. Since that time, flak jackets have become invaluable aids in preventing serious accidents and saving lives.
   
   Fortunately this story has a happier ending: According to Snow, Johnson is expected to make a full recovery.
   
   FINISH LINES: The Sport of Kings (Saturday 7 p.m., Shaw Television) visits with some of B.C.'s biggest horse racing fans, the crew of the hit television program Da Vinci's Inquest. ... Sad news that one of B.C.'s greatest thoroughbred sires, Bold Laddie, died recently of old age infirmities at age 28. During his stallion career, Bold   Laddie sired 302 winners and has lifetime progeny earnings of  $9,917,887. ... Hats off to Hastings Park trainer Rick Oswald for saddling his first winner with Dr. Jarrett on Wednesday. ... Sunday, the almost invincible filly Hallowed Dream goes for her 24th win in only 25 starts in the $50,000 Monique Rene Handicap at Louisiana Downs in Louisiana.
 
Wolski can be reached at www.sportofkingstv.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Vancouver Province
E-mail Tommy Wolski at twolski@home.com