AUBURN, WA—MAY 16, 2016—Jockey Diego Sanchez has been moved out of the Intensive Care Unit at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington.

The jockey was taken to Harborview on May 6th after a third race spill at Emerald Downs, near Auburn, which Sanchez’ mount, Agate Beach, clipped heels at the three-eighths pole, causing him to fall and roll over the top of the jockey. The fall severely injured the jockey's spinal cord as well as fracturing several vertebrae.

According to his agent Jeff Brown, Sanchez underwent an eight-hour surgery to try to repair the fractured vertebrae.

At this time the family requests no visitors to allow time for Diego to rest. Cards or care packages may be sent to: Diego Sanchez, 1399 SW Clevenger Lane, Port Orchard, WA 98367.

A GoFundMe page has been setup to help defray some of the costs of Diego's care. Persons wanting to make a donation may do so by CLICKING HERE.