In Thursday's ninth and final race at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., 55-year-old jockey Martin Pedroza, riding his first race in 18 months, posted a front-running, 3¼-length victory on Ken and Sarah Ramsey's homebred first-time starter Cornbread Hill.
Trained by Wesley Ward, Cornbread Hill ($13.80) covered the 6 furlongs in 1:10.40.
Pedroza had stopped riding races in October of 2019 for personal reasons, according to the Daily Racing Form, including losing his “deep-seated desire to ride races.”
He had been exercise riding for Ward in Kentucky, and the trainer needed a replacement jockey in Thursday's last race.
After the victory, Ward said he was “extremely happy to see Martin back in his favorite place – the winner's circle.”
Read more at the Daily Racing Form.
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