SHAKOPEE, MN – Jockey Rusty Shaw went down hard in Saturday’s sixth race at Canterbury Park and needed to be airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center for treatment.

The extent of his injuries are not fully known but it unofficially it appears that he suffered a broken back with no spinal cord injury.  It is important to note that nothing is confirmed at this time. Shaw was conscious when he left the track in an ambulance to be airlifted from a field adjacent to the stable entrance.

Shaw’s mount, Classy Star, was injured turning for home causing her to go down throwing Shaw from the horse onto the racetrack at about 30 mph.  Due to the extent of her injuries, Classy Star had to be euthanized.

Shaw is the fifth jockey injured this season at Canterbury, a reminder of how dangerous this profession can be.  Hugo Sanchez, Eddie Martin Jr., Israel Ricardo-Sanchez and Chris Rosier all went down this season and missed time riding with Martin and Sanchez suffering extensive injuries.

The Leg-Up Fund, a charitable organization dedicated to helping Canterbury Park’s local jockey colony will be busy working with the injured jockeys to .  From their Facebook page:

The Leg up Fund will be flexible in the support it provides, taking into account the level of each individual jockey’s injury and needs. Support may come in the form of a onetime grant, or an extended period of weekly or monthly supplemental support, for up to one year.

You can support the Leg Up Fund by sending a check to:

Leg Up Fund, Attn: Canterbury Park; 1100 Canterbury Road; Shakopee, MN 55379.

If you happen to be at the track you can head to the track bookkeeper’s office on the lower level and donate anywhere from $5 to $5000 (or even more – please don’t limit yourself), just let them know that you want to donate to the Leg Up Fund and they’ll make it happen.