Santa Anita: Gomez comeback lasts one race

Coady Photography/Keeneland

Garrett Gomez, injured in January, felt too much pain after his first race back that he plans to rest up another week.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Jockey Garrett Gomez's comeback from heel and ankle injuries sustained in January lasted one race at Santa Anita on Friday.

Gomez rode Miss Pippa to a fifth-place finish in the third race, and dismounted with a noticeable limp. Later, he told track officials that he planned to rest for another week before attempting another comeback.

Gomez had been named to ride Tiz Point in the San Felipe Stakes on Saturday. He gave up his final mount on Friday, aboard Indecise in the sixth race. Jockey Martin Garcia rode Indecise to a fourth-place finish.

Gomez's agent, Tony Matos, said that the rider would consult with a doctor in coming days.

Gomez, 40, suffered a fractured left heel on Jan. 8 when he was unseated on the path between the walking ring and the racetrack. The injury required surgery to insert screws and a stabilizing plate. He had aimed for an early March comeback since February.

"There's just a little more pain that I expected," Gomez told Santa Anita publicity. "I might give it another week."

Gomez won Eclipse Awards as the nation's leading rider in 2007 and 2008.