Napravnik fractures three vertebrae

Jockey Rosie Napravnik, an Eclipse Award finalist for outstanding apprentice

jockey of 2006, suffered three compression fractures in the thoracic region of

her back as a result of a spill at Laurel Park last Friday and will be sidelined

eight-to-12 weeks. The thoracic vertebrae compose the middle segment of the

vertebral column, between the cervical vertebrae and the lumber vertebrae.

The incident occurred a furlong past the finish line when her mount, Look Out

Lorie (Orientate), fell after finishing second in the 6TH race,

spilling the 18-year-old rider.

"There's not any real treatment for it -- in my case lying down and letting

it heal," Napravnik said. "I am not in any kind of brace or anything. I have a

brace that I will use when I get a little more active. I can walk right now, but

I am trying to stay immobile."

This is the second major injury in the 20-month career of the New Jersey

native. In November 2005, Napravnik fractured her left collarbone in a spill and

missed nearly six weeks. She returned to dominate the Maryland jockey colony,

capturing riding titles at all four of the major Maryland tracks a year ago:

Laurel Park winter (99 wins), Pimlico spring (56 wins), Laurel summer (12 wins)

and Laurel fall (92 wins). She currently has 387 career victories and her mounts

have earned more than $8 million.

"It's very frustrating whenever you get a setback like this," added Napravnik,

who will turn 19 on February 9. "You go from doing well and being active to a

complete halt in your career and everyday life. Coming from the Eclipse Awards

several weeks ago, I was getting so many compliments and given a lot of

confidence as far as my riding goes, so I was excited to get better. I was very

optimistic about this year, but it's going to wait awhile."