INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) -Hall of Fame jockey Julie Krone might have broken her sternum and some ribs in a spill, leaving the timing of her return to the sport in doubt.

Krone has separated ribs and severe soft-tissue damage accompanied by inflammation that is causing significant pain, said Dr. Tom Harris, an orthopedic surgeon.

He said more tests will determine if she broke any bones. Earlier, doctors said they found no evidence of fractures.Harris based his information on evaluation of X-rays and an MRI scan.

Krone won’t ride again during the remainder of the Hollywood Park meeting, which ends Sunday. Her status will likely be determined after she’s evaluated next week.

The only woman to ride winners of a Triple Crown race and a Breeders’ Cup race, Krone was injured last Friday in a spill.

during the third race at Hollywood Park. She has 3,704 career wins and has been among the leading riders in Southern California since ending a 31/2-year retirement in November 2002.

The 40-year-old jockey has bounced back from several serious injuries during her career, most recently from a spill March 8 at Santa Anita when she broke two bones in her lower back and suffered two compression fractures of vertebrae.

Krone entered Wednesday’s eight-race card at Hollywood Park as the meet’s leading rider with 23 wins – one ahead of Patrick Valenzuela and Victor Espinoza. She was scheduled to ride Victory U.S.A., the prohibitive favorite, in Sunday’s $200,000-added Hollywood Starlet, but David Flores will get the mount.

Krone was thrown to the ground during a 71/2-furlong claiming race for 3-year-olds and up when her horse, Clover Situation, collided with Skidoo.

Skidoo, ridden by David Nuesch, had broken his right foreleg midway down the backstretch and fallen directly into the path of Krone.

Nuesch escaped serious injury. Skidoo, a 4-year-old colt, was euthanized and Clover Situation wasn’t injured.

AP-ES-12-17-03 1657EST