Photos of the 56th Jockey Challenge at Rinconada racetrack in Venezuela

CARACAS (AP) — The Rinconada racetrack in Caracas, Venezuela, hosted the 56th Jockey Challenge on Sunday.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

Jockey Katie Davis, of the United States, celebrates after winning a race during the 56th Jockey Challenge 56 at Rinconada racetrack in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Arian Cubillos)

Grooms parade horses prior to a race during the 56th Jockey Challenge at the Rinconada racetrack in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Arian Cubillos)

A groom parades a horse in the paddock before a race during the 56th Jockey Challenge at the Rinconada racetrack in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.(AP Photo/Arian Cubillos)

An owner kisses Latina Parts during the 56th Jockey Challenge at the Rinconada racetrack in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Arian Cubillos)

Judges wait between races during the 56th Jockey Challenge at the Rinconada racetrack in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Arian Cubillos)

Spectators attend the 56th Jockey Challenge at the Rinconada racetrack in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Arian Cubillos)

Children play during the 56th Jockey Challenge at the Rinconada racetrack in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Arian Cubillos)

Jockeys race during the 56th Jockey Challenge at the Rinconada racetrack in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Arian Cubillos)

Spectators watch horse races during the 56th Jockey Challenge at the Rinconada racetrack in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Arian Cubillos)

Spectators watch horse racing during the 56th Jockey Challenge at the Rinconada racetrack in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Arian Cubillos)

Jockeys launch from the starting gate during the 56th Jockey Challenge at Rinconada racetrack in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Arian Cubillos)

A jockey rides Latina Parts during the 56th Jockey Challenge at the Rinconada racetrack in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Arian Cubillos)

Spectators watch horse races during the 56th Jockey Challenge at the Rinconada racetrack in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Arian Cubillos)

CHICAGO (AP) — Germany's 18-year-old midfielder Lennart Karl has been ruled out of the World Cup after injuring his thigh in training on Friday ahead of Germany's final pre-World Cup tuneup against the United States.

Karl was considered one of the top young players in any World Cup squad after a breakout season with Bayern Munich, for which he became the club's youngest ever goal-scorer in the Champions League.

Karl was sent to the hospital for scans and Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said it “didn't look so good.”

Hours later, and barely a week before Germany's first game of the tournament, Karl was replaced in the squad by midfielder Assan Ouédraogo under World Cup rules allowing extra players in cases of serious injury.

“I have no idea where to start but it's just indescribably painful being forced to miss the biggest tournament of all,” Karl wrote on Instagram.

“I've done everything to be fit for the World Cup. Unfortunately injuries often come at the unluckiest time.”

German soccer association president Bernd Neuendorf said there were tears at a team meeting as an Nagelsmann broke the news to the squad, German agency dpa reported. Germany plays the U.S. in Chicago on Saturday and then starts its tournament against Curacao on June 14.

Karl made his debut for Germany in March to continue a rapid rise to prominence and has played three games for the national team, including a key role as a starter in last week's 4-0 win over Finland.

Leipzig's 20-year-old midfielder Ouédraogo has played just once for Germany, scoring in a 13-minute appearance off the bench at the end of a 6-0 win over Slovakia in November.

Nagelsmann also said on Friday he would not risk 40-year-old goalkeeper Manuel Neuer against the U.S. because of continuing concerns over a calf injury he picked up at Bayern last month.

That means Neuer will go into the World Cup having not played for Germany in almost two years. He retired from the national team after the 2024 European Championship but agreed to a recall last month.

Oliver Baumann has been Germany's first choice for much of the time Neuer was away and also started against Finland last week.

AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

Germany's Lennart Karl, left, and David Raum attend a training session in Herzogenaurach, Germany, Thursday May 28, 2026, ahead of the World Cup tournament. (Federico Gambarini/dpa via AP)