LOS ANGELES, CA—AUGUST 25, 2020—According to an article posted Monday on the Daily Racing Form website drf.com, jockey Vinnie Bednar underwent spinal cord surgery Sunday at USC Medical Center in Los Angeles.

The leading Quarter Horse jockey was involved in a one-horse spill Saturday at Los Alamitos Race Course. A person familiar with Bednar’s conditions said the rider is under observation and that there is concern about his long-term condition.

Bednar was injured when he was unseated from the 3-year-old filly Peek It Up in an allowance race at 300 yards. Peek It Up owned by Los Alamitos chairman Edward Allred.

According to a Twitter message from the track, Bednar, 28, was conscious following the accident.

Bednar is second in the Quarter Horse jockey standings at Los Alamitos this year with 42 wins and his mounts have earned $641,029.

Bednar most recently has won four major stakes – the Champion of Champions last December with 2019 World Champion He Looks Hot, the Vessels Maturity on Chocolatito on July 5, the Governor’s Cup Derby with Nomadic on July 26, and the Golden State Derby on Aug. 16 aboard Circle City.

Bednar has been the first-call rider for Dr. All over the past two years.

A native of Southern California, Bednar began his career as a Thoroughbred rider at Turf Paradise in late 2011. He also rode at Santa Anita and Hollywood Park the following year before relocating to Los Alamitos at the end of 2012 to primarily ride Thoroughbreds at the track’s night meeting before becoming more active with Quarter Horses.