New Brunswick

Ron Turcotte, jockey who rode Secretariat, to be released from hospital

A spokesman for Ron Turcotte says the jockey who rode Secretariat to the 1973 Triple Crown hopes to be released from a hospital shortly after recovering from breaking his legs in a one-vehicle crash.

Legendary jockey who won 1973 Triple Crown doesn't feel pain because of paralysis from horse-racing accident

Jockey Ron Turcotte walks Secretariat towards the winners circle after they captured the Triple Crown by winning the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. (Racing Museum.org)

A spokesman for Ron Turcotte says the jockey who rode Secretariat to the 1973 Triple Crown hopes to be released from a hospital shortly after recovering from breaking his legs in a one-vehicle crash.

Leonard Lusky says the 73-year-old hall of famer's recuperation is going well at a hospital in the province.

Turcotte, who has been paralyzed from the waist down after a riding spill in 1978, was hurt when the van he was driving hit an icy patch and flipped near his home in Grand Falls.

Lusky says Turcotte is still sporting blue and white casts — the colours of Secretariat's owner Meadow Stable.