ARCADIA, Calif. -- Laffit Pincay Jr. broke bones and punctured lungs on his way to becoming thoroughbred racing's winningest jockey.

His latest injury, though, might be the one that ends his remarkable 39-year career.

Pincay broke a bone in his neck when he was thrown from his horse during a race at Santa Anita last weekend. The Hall of Fame rider will spend the next eight weeks in a cast, his son said Thursday.

"We expect a full recovery, and a decision on his career will be made at a future date," Laffit Pincay III said.

The injury is far more serious than first believed. Pincay, 56, was thought to have had muscle contusions to the back of his neck, and was expected to return to the races Friday. He was booked on six mounts.

Now, Pincay's son said his father will be fitted with a halo cast and leave a Los Angeles hospital in a day or so. He said his father was in good spirits.

The fractured bone is cervical 2, track spokesman Vince Bruun said. Cervical 2 is one of the uppermost seven vertebrae of the spine.

Pincay, who has more victories than any other jockey with 9,531, was thrown to the grass when his mount, Trampus Too, fell on the turn for home in the fifth race Saturday.

At the time, the injury didn't appear serious and Pincay was treated at the track and released. When the pain persisted, Pincay agreed to be examined by doctors, who found two breaks in the same bone in his neck.

Jockey Tony Farina was suspended for seven days for altering course without sufficient clearance on Rainman's Request, which resulted in the spill that injured Pincay.

Pincay's agent, Bob Meldahl, did not immediately respond to a telephone message.

Pincay passed Bill Shoemaker's career record of 8,833 wins three years ago and has been determined to reach 10,000 victories despite his age.

"I have surprised myself that I'm still riding and competing the way I am," he said last summer, joking that he can't quit because his phobia about public speaking would preclude a retirement speech.

His career includes election to racing's Hall of Fame in 1975, a 1984 Kentucky Derby victory, three Belmont Stakes victories, five Eclipse Awards, and mounts on such great horses as Affirmed and John Henry.

The son of a famous rider in Panama and Venezuela, Pincay came to the United States at 17, speaking only Spanish and carrying a $500-a-month riding contract. He taught himself English by watching ``Hollywood Squares'' on TV.

He reached the winner's circle on his first U.S. mount, in 1966 at Chicago's Arlington Park.

What's most exceptional about Pincay's longevity is his ability to control his weight.

He has battled the scale since he was a teenager. Back then, he was told he was too big to be a jockey. He weighs 113 pounds and rides at 117 pounds, which includes his saddle and tack.

"He's built like a fighter, and the desire and ability he has, even today, is just unbelievable," Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally has said.

Pincay's achievements haven't come without injury. He's broken his collarbone 11 times, broken 10 ribs, had two spinal fractures, two punctured lungs, two broken thumbs and a sprained ankle.

Pincay has said he'll keep riding as long as he enjoys himself. His only distraction outside the sport is his family, including second wife Jeanine and their 6-year-old son.

"I just love to ride horses. I love competition. I love the excitement of the game," he said in 1999. "I know it's a little dangerous and that's kind of exciting, too. You get hooked every day winning races. It makes you feel good."