Derby-day notes: Chelokee's survival 50/50

Louisville, Ky.

Survival is a 50-50 proposition for Chelokee, the Michael Matz-trained five-year-old injured in a race here on Friday.

Chelokee, originally believed to have suffered a fracture of the right foreleg, tore the suspensory ligaments at the bottom of the limb, displacing the sesamoid bones. He will undergo surgery within the next week, according to Dr. Larry Bramlage. The horse was taken immediately to the Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, where he is said to be comfortable.

Disabled jockeys find benefactor

NetJets, Inc. announced on Friday that it would sponsor every jockey with a mount in the Derby.

A $200,000 donation will be made on behalf of the jockeys participating in the race to the NTRA Charities - Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. The fund benefits jockeys who have suffered disabilities during the course of their riding careers. NetJets will also make an additional $100,000 contribution to the fund.

Oaks wagering declines sharply

Total wagering from all sources on the Kentucky Oaks was $9,138,950 a 9.6-percent decrease over the $10,112,064 wagered in 2007. On-track wagering on the Oaks race totaled $2,540,831 a 14.4-percent decrease from the $2,968,635 wagered one year ago. Off-track wagering on the Oaks, $6,032,223, represents a 6.4-percent decrease over the 2007 total, $7,143,429.

All sources wagering on the 11-race Oaks-day card was $31,231,991, a 7-percent decrease from the 2007 total of $33,570,510. On-track wagering on the card was $11,217,756, a decrease of 8.3 percent from the $12,234,128 wagered by patrons at Churchill Downs a year ago.