FORMER champion jockey, Panamanian-born Dick Cardenas, who is currently third in this year’s standing, said he was fine and will ride on tomorrow’s 10-race card at Caymanas Park.

Cardenas fell from his mount, an injured Money In Action, close to the end of the 1,000 metres straight, sixth event last Saturday. He had to be assisted by medical personnel and was taken away by ambulance for further examination.

Cardenas did not ride for the rest of the day and was replaced by Dane Nelson in the feature race, the Kenneth Mattis trophy on Kal Kal, who went on to win in astonishing fashion with Nelson losing the use of his left stirrup in the event.

Speaking with The Complete Racing Guide on Sunday morning, Cardenas, who was in a happy mood, said no bones were broken, and he was just feeling a little pain after the fall.

“Things are ok. I am feeling fine. Thankfully no bones were broken, and I am really happy about that. I am having some pain, but right now it is nothing which I cannot handle. I will be around tomorrow to ride,” the former champion rider said.

Cardenas said the moment was scary, but one which happens to all jockeys in their careers. “Yes, I must admit that things were scary. The horse broke down and I fell to the track. It happened in a flash and there was very little I could do about it at the time. I would like to thank the medical personnel who quickly attended to me. Now all is well and I will continue to ride,” Cardenas said.

Before his fall, an assured Cardenas piloted the Wayne DaCosta-trained Blast Them Away to an easy win over horse-of-the-year St Cecelia, to snap the mare’s 14-race winning streak.