Community Corner
Tuscon Jockey Dies After Accident At Rillito Race Track: Reports
The longtime jockey died from his injuries after falling from a horse at Rillito Racetrack, local media outlets report.
TUCSON, AZ — A Tuscon man and longtime Rillito Race Track jockey died over the weekend after falling off a horse during a race over the weekend, several media outlets report.
According to local reports, Richard C. Gamez was leading in the fifth race when the horse he was riding stumbled, causing the jockey to fall off.
KVOA reports Gamez had been racing at Rillito since he was a child. As of this weekend, he was ranked seventh for the season and had two first-place wins.
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After the accident, Gamez was taken to Banner University Medical Hospital where he died from his injuries.
Monday, Rillito Park shared a photo of Gamez on Twitter, along with a brief memorial.
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"We are devastated to have lost a member of our Rillito family," the park wrote in the Tweet. "Our deepest sympathy goes out to Richard's family and friends. Richard was a fantastic human being and a true horseman. Today we are all GAMEZ. "
We are devastated to have lost a member of our Rillito family. Our deepest sympathy goes out to Richard's family and friends. Richard was a fantastic human being and a true horseman. Today we are all GAMEZ. pic.twitter.com/TO8PozJKvh
— Rillito Park (@RillitoPark) March 2, 2020
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