Gary Stevens beats Churchill's reaction to Cannon's injury

Photo: Carson Blevins / Eclipse Sportswire

Agent and Hall of Fame Jockey Gary Stevens are dissatisfied with the reaction in Churchill Downs after Declan Cannon was injured in a spill on Saturday evening.

“The ambulance was slow to him, and in Declan's words that he would not have made it if he hadn't breathed, do you know what I mean?” Stevens told Horse race nation on Wednesday. “And they brought it into this type of ambulance, and if I say, so to speak, it is like a minivan, and then they brought it to another place and changed the ambulances.”

Stevens said that Cannon recovered in his house in Louisville, Kentucky, after the accident in the Louisville Stakes of the 3rd grade, left him with two broken vertebrae and poured a vertebrae in the neck. He was treated at the University Hospital in Louisville and released on Sunday afternoon.

Cannon ride Rebell Red when the 5-year-old cut off and fell with another runner. Accordingly Paulick reportRafael Bejarano was also thrown and he tended to cannons while waiting for medical help.

“The response time was terrible,” said Stevens. “It's not just him. There are injuries in the morning to follow workers, gallop boys and workers. As soon as you have secured them, bring them to the front stable gate and wait for another ambulance.

Churchill Downs' spokesmen were asked for a comment, but had not answered.

According to Stevens, other tracks have better processes for correction of injuries.

“You have your own trauma room in Keeland. In an emergency, the University of Kentucky has a trauma room with a full staff in which you can stabilize a driver before you are sent to the UK. It is archaic, what it is.”

Regarding Cannon, Stevens said: “He is in a neck collar for four weeks and two weeks of rehab. I spoke to him yesterday. He is in a great atmosphere.”

Stevens expects Cannon to be ready for the beginning of the Ellis Park on July 3.