Bejarano undergoes surgery, doing well

Jockey Rafael Bejarano, who sustained serious facial injuries in a spill

Wednesday during the 3RD race on Del Mar's opening-day program, was reported

doing well at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, California, on Thursday by

his agent, Joe Ferrer.

"He's beginning to heal and he is expected to be released from the hospital

Friday," Ferrer said. "There's no timetable on when he might be completely

healed, but the doctors tell me facial bones heal faster than any of the other

bones in the body."

Ferrer said Bejarano underwent surgery early Thursday for multiple facial

fractures, including a broken jaw, cheek and nose. He said the fractured jaw was

not as serious as first thought and it wasn't necessary to wire the rider's jaw

shut, as is often the case with such an injury. Bejarano will be able to eat

soft food.

As for a return to action, Ferrer added it will depend on the healing

process. However, he said Bejarano was told by doctors that when the pain and

the swelling in his face go away he could ride with a mask, much as basketball

players do with similar injuries.

Bejarano, who at present is the nation's fourth leading rider in money won

for 2009, was injured when the horse he was riding, Mi Rey (Arg) (Louis

Quatorze), fractured his right leg and unseated the rider. After he hit the

ground, Bejarano was struck by a trailing horse.