Jockey Wilson Critically Injured in Spill at Pimlico

Rick Wilson, who ranks 20th among jockeys in career wins, was in critical condition in a Baltimore hospital Saturday night after suffering head injuries in a spill leaving the gate in the second race at Pimlico.

Wilson, 50, was thrown forward, over the head of his mount, Advance To Go, after the 3-year-old gelding stumbled at the start of the 1 1/16-mile race. Wilson may have been struck in the head by Advance To Go as the horse straightened up and continued running. A Pimlico spokesman said that Wilson, who was rushed by helicopter to the Shock Trauma Unit at the University of Maryland Hospital, lost a considerable amount of blood.

Because the starting gate couldn’t be removed to enable the horses to complete the course, the race was declared a no-contest and betting money was refunded.

Wilson, who has won 4,939 races, was sidelined for a year after he broke his right leg in October 2001.

One of his best horses was Xtra Heat, a filly who won 13 times in the 15 races Wilson rode her. He rode in the Preakness at Pimlico five times, never finishing better than sixth. His Wood Memorial winner, Storm Tower, finished 16th in the Kentucky Derby.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Rick and his family,” said Lou Raffetto, chief executive of Pimlico.

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-- Bill Christine