INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Kent Desormeaux, the nation's leading money-winner among jockeys this year, was in intensive care Saturday from head injuries suffered Friday in a spill at Hollywood Park.
Desormeaux was thrown from his mount, Judge Hammer, near the finish of the second race Friday and he was kicked in the head by Cartagena Slew.
He remained conscious and was talking when he arrived at Centinela Hospital.
Track physician Robert Kerlan said the jockey's condition was not critical but remained serious.
'He had several skull fractures but none requiring emergency surgery,' Kerlan said. 'He will probably stay in intensive care for another 24 hours and be hospitalized for several days.'
After he is released from the hospital, Desormeaux will undergo convalescence at home and could return to riding in four to six weeks, Kerlan said.
Desormeaux' mounts have earned more than $13 million this year and he is the leading rider at Hollywood for the third straight meeting.
