A year ago on this date, Jesus Castanon rode (then)-6-year-old gelding Chess Master to victory in the Turf Dash Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. With uncertainty surrounding Castanon's expected return from a fractured left fibula incurred on Jan. 8, owner-trainer Kerri Raven turned to Antonio Gallardo to ride Chess Master in this year's Turf Dash, with the Florida-bred repeating last year's win.
Castanon, who turns 50 on March 4, proved to be a fast healer. After undergoing surgery by Dr. Anthony Infante of Brandon, Fla. to insert a rod and three screws in the bone, Castanon was pronounced “ready to go” for today's seventh race on Kitchen Fire, an 8-year-old gelding from Raven's barn.
In storybook fashion, Castanon, whose career total of 2,683 victories includes the 2011 Preakness (F1) on Shackleford, rode Kitchen Fire to a two-length victory from Imtakinittothebank in Sunday's seventh race, a 5½-furlong starter/optional claiming event.
Relatively speaking, the stakes weren't that high financially. But Castanon admitted the race was one was special.
“I'm glad to be back on the team,” said the Mexico City native, who scored his 12th victory of the meet. “I was pretty pumped up today. Whenever you go through injuries like this, you're a little nervous coming back, but once I got back on the horse it came back naturally.
“I have to thank Dr. Infante for helping me return so soon,” Castanon added.
Raven knew Castanon was his old self when she received a video message from Castanon undergoing “therapy.” It showed him vacuuming the house under the watchful eye of his wife, former jockey Rolanda Simpson.
“We've done very well together, and it's great to have him back,” Raven said. “I didn't even have to worry because he is just naturally light, fit, and dedicated.”
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