Tyler Gaffalione, slated to ride Madaket Road in Saturday's Grade 1Florida Derby, broke his ankle in an accident at Gulfstream Park on Wednesday.
Gaffalione likely will be unable to ride for four weeks, agent Matt Muzikar told Horse Racing Nation. He expected to know more about the time line Thursday, after doctors can see how swollen it gets. When Muzikar visited Gaffalione, there was very little swelling and no discoloration, he said.
"It was a clean break," Muzikar said, and Gaffalione's ankle was put in a splint at least temporarily.
Gaffalione was on China Blue, a 3-year-old filly, ahead of the fourth race, a claiming event. Muzikar said she flipped, put Gaffalione against the rail and fell on him. Emisael Jaramillo rode the filly to a third-place finish in the race.
Mike Smith will take the mount on Madaket Road for the Florida Derby, Muzikar said.
Madaket Road, trained by Bob Baffert, is the 7-2 second choice for the Florida Derby. He was second in the Rebel (G2) in his most recent start, with Irad Ortiz Jr. riding.
Gaffalione also had been named to ride Five G in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) for trainer George Weaver. Muzikar said a replacement jockey had yet to be determined. Five G, second in the Honeybee (G3) in her most recent start, was the 8-5 favorite on the morning line.
Gaffalione, winner of the Eclipse Award as outstanding apprentice jockey of 2015, was in second place in the standings for the current Gulfstream meet, with 73 wins from 397 starts.
