Cruz Mendez sustained a spinal cord injury during a race on Saturday.

© William Zuazo

CYPRESS, CA–JANUARY 26, 2026–Longtime Quarter Horse jockey Cruz Mendez, 40, underwent spinal surgery after suffering a spinal cord injury in a spill at Los Alamitos on Saturday, according to the Daily Racing Form.

The Quarter Horse jockey was aboard the 3-year-old filly Imm Relentless in the fifth race when she "lost action" and fell, the Equibase chart reports. 

Mendez was taken to Long Beach Memorial Hospital after the incident and underwent surgery on Sunday.

The veteran jockey has recorded 1,184 victories in Quarter Horse races since his career began in 2010, according to Equibase, including 17 Grade 1 wins.

Mendez has won five Quarter Horse riding titles at Los Alamitos, most recently in 2023, and was named the Sam Thompson Memorial Jockey Award winner in 2024.

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