Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez returned to race riding yesterday, finishing seventh aboard a first-time starter for trainer Todd Pletcher at Belmont Park, and was set to depart for Louisville last night with the hopes of a big weekend ahead.
“I feel good. Not bad at all,” said Velazquez. “I just gotta get strong now. I wish my horse had run better today, but I had no problem getting back into the swing of things. I don’t think the time off will affect me at all.”
The race was his first since April 7, when Velazquez’s mount, Katie Malone, clipped heels and fell entering the backstretch on the turf course at Aqueduct. Velazquez suffered injuries to his right wrist and ribs only a day after winning the Wood Memorial by three-quarters of a length with Verrazano.
The 41-year-old rider is scheduled to ride the favored Dreaming of Julia in today’s Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, and Authenticity in the Grade 3 La Troienne. He was named to ride four on Derby Day, including the undefeated Verrazano in the Kentucky Derby.
Velazquez heads to Churchill Downs with confidence in his horse, and one eye on the favorite.
“[Verrazano’s] a horse who’s done everything right,” said Velazquez, “He worked very well at Churchill Downs last week. I’m not surprised they made Orb the favorite; he’s a very, very good horse. There are 19 other horses in the race, but obviously, he is one I fear.”
Velazquez galloped horses on Tuesday morning and was set to return to the races on Wednesday, but his mount scratched.