Jockey Dies During Race at Blue Ribbon Downs

Staff and Wire Reports

SALISAW, Oklahoma – A jockey died during a horse race at Blue Ribbon Downs Sunday.

Officials say 58-year-old Mark Pace died Sunday after falling during the first race. Pace was riding Reep What You Sow when the horse ran into the rail and he fell and hit his head. He was taken to Sequoyah County Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

When the death of the jockey in the first race was announced after the completion of the second race, the rest of the riders asked, out of respect for the jockey, that the rest of the races be canceled.

The track agreed and the rest of the 12 races scheduled for that day were canceled.