Keeneland
Keeneland: Jean Cruguet plans one-race comeback
Keeneland/Coady Photography Jean Cruguet, 72, will ride Ratoath Special for trainer John Paul Pucek on April 27 at Keeneland.
Jean Cruguet, who rode Seattle Slew to win the Triple Crown in 1977, is planning to make a one-race comeback late in the Keeneland meet. Cruguet, 72, said he will ride a 3-year-old filly named Ratoath Special in a starter-allowance sprint on April 27.
“I’ve been in Ocala all winter and I’m pretty fit,” said Cruguet. “I think the filly will win. I wouldn’t ride her if I didn’t think so.”
Cruguet said he is riding in honor of his wife, Denyse, who died last September after a lengthy illness, and will donate his earnings to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund of the Jockeys’ Guild.
“She always wanted me to do this,” said Cruguet.