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Dylan Davis Wastes Little Time Winning First Day Back From Injury

Idle since suffering a broken clavicle at Aqueduct Racetrack on March 20, jockey Dylan Davis didn't waste any time finding the winner's circle on his first day back riding on Saturday at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J.

In his third mount since his return, the New York-based Davis guided Bottle Rocket Man to victory for Chad Brown in the seventh race.

“It's a mix of emotions – some relief, some excitement. It felt great,” said Davis. “First day back, I was anxious to get back in the winner's circle as quickly as I could and it felt great. To do it for Chad Brown is really special, too.”

Davis, who has 819 career victories, said for now he is “riding both tracks (Belmont and Monmouth Park).”

“Wherever I can get some mounts and get some winners,” he said. “My plans are fluid right now. It depends on which mounts I get at both tracks.

“But it feels so good to get that first one out of the way after being out for so long.”

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Comebacking Jonathan Gonzales Returns To Gulfstream Winner’s Circle

Jonathan Gonzales, a prominent member of the South Florida jockey colony before being derailed by injury and the COVID-19 pandemic, returned to the Gulfstream Park winner's circle Sunday after an absence of a year and a half at the Hallandale Beach oval.

“I've worked hard for this, but I need to keep working hard,” Gonzales said after guiding Fiery Princess ($12.80) to a Race 3 victory on the fourth mount of his comeback. “I feel very happy.”

Due to COVID-19 protocols put in place at Gulfstream, jockeys did not have access to the backstretch to gallop or breeze horses. Gonzales opted to place his career as a jockey on hold to work full time as an exercise rider while working his way back into top physical condition.

“I had an accident in 2019. I broke my elbow. When I came back business was slow and then there was the pandemic,” he said. “I was galloping until now.”

Gonzales, who captured the inaugural summer meet title at Gulfstream in 2013 as an apprentice, scored his 510th career victory Sunday aboard Fiery Princess, who graduated with an off-the-place victory in a six-furlong maiden claiming race for fillies and mares. He finished with a 20-percent winning percentage in two of his first five years of riding.

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Jose Lezcano Returns Thursday Following Shoulder And Knee Surgery

Jockey Jose Lezcano will be back in the saddle on Thursday at Belmont Park after recovering from shoulder and knee surgery which kept him out of action for nearly three full months.

The 36-year-old Lezcano has not ridden since January 31 at Aqueduct and has been named aboard two horses on Thursday's nine-race card for trainer Brad Cox.

The 2019 Belmont spring/summer meet leading rider will pilot graded-stakes placed Caldee for Shortleaf Stable in a 1 1/16-mile allowance optional claiming race over the Widener turf course in Race 5, as well as Anstu Stables' stakes-placed Kinenos, who is entered in a 10-furlong second-level optional claiming tilt over the inner turf in Race 8.

Agent Jason Beides said Lezcano has been working horses at Belmont for Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey and Jorge Abreu.

“He's going good and working really hard,” said Beides. “He can't wait to get back and ride. It's been tough keeping him on the ground. A shoulder is a tough injury but he stays in good shape, so that's good.”

Jockeys Junior Alvarado and Pablo Fragoso, who were unseated in the eighth race on Opening Day on Thursday at Belmont, are both on the sidelines.

The 34-year-old Alvarado, who was unseated by Sport Model, was evaluated at hospital Thursday. Agent Mike Sellitto reported that all tests and scans were negative. Alvarado was discharged that evening and will visit a specialist later this week for further guidance on his expected return.

Fragoso reported that he had fractured his right wrist, incurred a mild concussion, and lost two teeth after being unseated by Sailor's Treasure. Fragoso will also seek further specialist advice this week.

Manny Franco, who was unseated by Undetectable in the same spill, was cleared by EMS immediately following and rode the winner, Kavod, in Friday's opening race at Belmont.

Dylan Davis, who broke his collarbone in a fall on March 20 at Aqueduct Racetrack, will see a specialist this week with an eye towards a mid-May return, agent Mike Migliore said. The 26-year-old rider underwent successful surgery at the end of March.

“If all goes well with the doctor, we're hoping he can be back in the middle of May after a little physical therapy,” said Migliore. “He's young and keeps himself in good shape. It's a shame he got hurt, we had good momentum going at Aqueduct.”

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Concussion Sustained In Belmont Spill Sidelines Junior Alvarado

Jockey Junior Alvarado, one of three jockeys involved in a spill in Thursday's eighth race on opening day at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., was off all mounts this weekend and will miss several stakes engagements at Churchill Downs next week, including a possible ride aboard Caddo River in the G1 Kentucky Derby, according to a report in Daily Racing Form.

Alvarado was released from a local hospital on Thursday evening but took of mounts the following day and saw a specialist who determined the rider had suffered a concussion. He had fallen hard to the turf when his mount, Sport Model, clipped heels when in tight rounding the stretch turn. Jockey Manny Franco escaped injury when his mount, Undetectable, collided with the fallen horse. A third rider, Pablo Fragoso, was diagnosed with a wrist fracture and also lost two teeth when he was thrown to the ground after his mount, Sailor's Treasure, was unable to avoid Sport Model.

All three horses got back up and were captured by outriders. None was reported to have suffered any injuries.

According to Daily Racing Form, Alvarado was being considered as rider for Caddo River in the Kentucky Derby. He had several other stakes mounts lined up Derby week, but will not be able to fulfill any of the commitments. Alvarado is scheduled to see a doctor Thursday to learn when he may return to action.

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