Fontaine was diagnosed with a mild compression fracture of his L1 vertebrae and will be in a back brace for the next three months. “I’m going to be focusing on getting healthy ...

Jockey Chris DeCarlo suffered a fracture of the L1 vertebrae of the lower spine after being thrown to the ground during the ninth race Thursday at Gulfstream Park.

For the 700,000 people who suffer broken vertebrae each year in the United States, narcotics aren't always enough to stop the pain.

"Belle was airlifted from the course and taken to a Tbilisi hospital where examination and imaging revealed a fracture of the L1 vertebrae, with no neurological damage," the AOC said.

Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti fractured the L1 vertebrae in his back in a 2003 motorcycle accident. He needed surgery and was out of a race car for almost nine months.