Golden Gate: Frey returns to saddle early from broken leg

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Kyle Frey, the Eclipse Award-winning apprentice of last year, returned to riding on Sunday, four months after breaking a leg.

Kyle Frey guided Kissn Tristan to a third-place finish Sunday in the third race, his first race since breaking the femur in his right leg in a July 14 spill at Parx Racing. Frey, 20, got his start at Golden Gate Fields in 2010 and received the Eclipse Award as the leading apprentice jockey last year while riding primarily at Parx, near Philadelphia.

After Frey broke his leg, doctors told him he wouldn’t be able to ride for at least six months and maybe for up to a year. For those not keeping count, he returned to riding in just short of four months.

Frey was fifth in the standings at Parx with 51 victories before the accident.

Frey made his riding debut on Nov. 26, 2010, and he now has ridden Kissn Tristan six times, with one win (his maiden victory), a second, three thirds and a fourth.

After moving to Parx, Frey returned to ride briefly here last fall when he returned to California to visit his family during a short break at Parx. This year, he came out to visit family during his recovery and began working horses two weeks ago.
Frey is scheduled to ride here again this week.

◗ Golden Gate Fields will host a canned food drive Sunday. Fans bringing canned food items to the track will receive their choice of either free general admission or free club house admission.

◗ Golden Gate Fields is taking reservations for next Thursday’s special Thanksgiving buffet in the turf club. Reservations can be made by calling (510) 559-7390. Gates open at 9:30 a.m. with the first post scheduled for 11:15 a.m.