SAB Stable Inc.'s Late Night Larry shook free of Down Cold in midstretch and sprinted clear to a 3 ½-length victory in Laurel Park's first race Saturday, giving jockey Kevin Gomez the first win of his comeback.
Gomez, 28, returned to riding Jan. 6 for the first time since having surgery to repair a broken collarbone suffered in an Oct. 21 spill at Laurel on the eve of the 37th Jim McKay Maryland Million Day program. Also hurt was jockey Victor Carrasco, who has yet to return.
“I borrowed an Equicizer from Victor Carrasco so that's what I've been using at home,” Gomez said. “When I'm not on horses I'm on the Equicizer trying to get back in shape.”
A native of Guatemala and a finalist for the 2016 Eclipse Award as champion apprentice, Gomez had gone 0-for-7 since returning. Previously ridden to victory by Jaime Rodriguez, Late Night Larry is trained by Brittany Russell, for whom Gomez frequently rides in the morning. She is married to jockey Sheldon Russell.
“I hadn't been on him in the mornings, but I watched the replays and Jaime Rodriguez told me a little bit about the horse and I just tried to follow instructions,” Gomez said. “It feels great, especially for Brittany. She's a great trainer and it's always great to win for those kinds of people. Her and Sheldon have been helping me a lot, so that means a lot to me.”
Gomez is named in four races Sunday and one race on Monday's special Martin Luther King Jr. holiday program.
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