Arguello, sidelined with broken leg, returns to saddle

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Fabio Arguello Jr., best known for winning the 1992 Kentucky Oaks aboard Luv Me Luv Me Not, is making another comeback in the saddle.

Arguello, 44, is named on one mount Saturday at Ellis. The Colombia native suffered a serious leg fracture in a February 2014 spill at Sam Houston and actually returned to riding 11 months later but stopped again after two mounts “because it just didn’t feel right,” said Arguello.

:: Get bonus PPs for Tuesday’s Ellis Park card with purchase of any other Tuesday PPs

◗ Between races Friday night, Churchill will honor the leading owner, trainer, and jockey at the spring meet. Only the owners’ race was still undecided when the final three-day stretch of the meet began Wednesday, with Maggi Moss holding a 10-9 lead over Ken and Sarah Ramsey. Steve Asmussen (record 18th trainer title) and Corey Lanerie (13th jockey title) had theirs locked up.

◗ Friday marks the 43rd night card at Churchill, with the first one having been held in June 2009. The most recent set a record for all-sources handle when $9.4 million was bet on the 11-race Stephen Foster card June 17. The last night program of 2017 is set for Sept. 23, although the lights will be used extensively at the fall meet in November, when the sun sets much earlier.