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Marcelino Pedroza Back In The Saddle Monday At Indiana Grand

Marcelino Pedroza Jr., 2019 leading jockey at Indiana Grand, is set to return Monday, Sept. 7 at Indiana Grand. The native of Panama has been out with an elbow injury since a training incident May 28 at Indiana Grand.

“I've been working hard and exercising and getting on an equicizer to get back in shape, and I feel great,” said Pedroza. “I didn't want to get on any horses until I got the okay from the doctor because I wanted to do everything right. I got the okay from the doctor yesterday (Wednesday, Sept. 2) and was able to get on four horses (Thursday, Sept. 3). It feels really good to be back.”

Pedroza has been competing on the Indiana circuit full time for the past five years. He earned the leading rider title during the 2017 meet followed up by a title in 2019. Last year's record-setting season in Indiana brought him 153 winners during the 120-day meet. He set the record for most purse earnings in one season ($3,406,044). He also tied Rodney Prescott for most wins on one program with six wins. Pedroza has earned 15 career stakes wins at Indiana Grand and is ranked fifth on the list of all-time leading riders for wins in Indiana with 495 trips to the winner's circle, bringing in more than $12 million in total purse earnings.

“I've been exercising a lot in addition to my physical therapy,” added Pedroza. “I go to therapy for my (left) elbow twice a week and my therapist told me last week I was ready, but we had to wait for the doctor's okay. I'm just happy to finally be back and I can't wait to ride Monday. It's good to be able to do what you love to do.”

Pedroza has five scheduled mounts on the Monday, Sept. 7 racing program. He will begin in Race 1 aboard Talented Tapper from post one at odds of 5-2.

Racing is held Monday through Thursday each week through Wednesday, Nov. 18. Two more Saturday programs are slated for all-Quarter Horse racing days Oct. 3 and Oct. 24 with a daytime first post. For more information, visit www.indianagrand.com.

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Jockey Brian Hernandez Cleared To Resume Riding Thursday At Churchill

Just after hearing that his Kentucky Derby mount, Art Collector, wouldn't be entered in the race due to a minor foot injury, jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr. found out that he had tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. He was subsequently taken off all mounts at Churchill on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The 34-year-old rider then took an antibody test on Tuesday, which was also positive.

According to the Daily Racing Form, Hernandez consulted with both local health officials and Churchill representatives, and eventually it was decided to allow him to resume riding on Thursday, “on the basis that he is not an infectious danger to others.”

Umberto Rispoli Celebrates 32nd Birthday With Three-Win Day At Del Mar

Del Mar newcomer Umberto Rispoli continued his torrid riding at the shore oval Monday, capturing three more races including the 8th Race allowance feature on the make-up card. The fact that it was the Italian ace's 32nd birthday just made it a bit more sweet for the track's leading rider.

Rispoli saved ground with Little Red Feather and Naify's Scarto in the mile and one-sixteenth turf race, then fired the gelded son of Paynter through a hole inside and drew clear late for a three-quarter length victory. They covered the mile and one-sixteenth in 1:40.62.

Finishing second was Peter Redekop B.C.'s Ajourneytofreedom and third was Hronis Racing's Tripoli.

The winner paid $4.40, $2.80 and $2.60 across the board as the favorite in the 3-year-old test.

The race was marred by an incident on the far turn when jockey Brice Blanc and his mount, Higher Power, ran up on the heels of a horse in front of them and fell. The rider was taken to Scripps La Jolla Hospital for evaluation, while the horse was given a ride back to his barn where the report was that he was only suffering from minor cuts on his legs.

Rispoli now has 42 winners in 23 days of racing at the track's 81st summer meet. He is one winner ahead of Del Mar three-time riding champion Flavien Prat with a stirring four-day finish to the meet looming next weekend.

The day's Pick Six was captured by a single bettor who was paid off with a hefty $686,660 for his/her sweep. The player invested $36,722 in the pool to come up with their winning ticket.

Racing returns to Del Mar Friday with a nine-race card starting at 2 p.m.

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Del Mar Stewards Suspend Ruben Fuentes 11 Days For Pair Of Careless Riding Incidents

Jockey Ruben Fuentes has been suspended for a total of 11 race days due to a pair of careless riding infractions, according to a ruling published by Del Mar Thoroughbred Club stewards.

First, Fuentes was given four days for his ride aboard winner Quiet Secretary in Friday's ninth race. Stewards held an inquiry after Fuentes allowed his mount to drift out in the stretch, but did not change the order of finish.

Fuentes was cited again for his ride on Le Tub in Saturday's fifth race, in which the horse caused interference. Stewards added seven days to the penalty, since it was Fuentes' third careless riding infraction in the past 60 days.

The suspension dates will last from Sept. 5 to Oct. 4, though Fuentes will be allowed to ride in designated races.

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