Bejarano returning fresh and focused

ARCADIA, Calif. – A low-key Thursday program at Santa Anita will be an important day for jockey Rafael Bejarano, who returns to riding after having been sidelined for about seven weeks with a wrist injury.

Bejarano, who has not ridden since March 18, said last weekend that he is ready both physically and mentally to resume riding.

Last week, Bejarano was cleared by doctors to resume exercising horses.

Earlier this spring, Bejarano spent time in his native Peru, visiting friends and family.

“It was the best two weeks of my life,” Bejarano said. “I don’t get to see them too much. I feel more focused.”

In a typical year, Bejarano travels to Peru for a few days at Christmastime or in September, after the Del Mar summer meeting. He stayed longer on the recent trip while the wrist healed. Last week, Bejarano went back to work, focused on exercising horses and regaining fitness. He approaches Thursday’s program with renewed enthusiasm.

“I’m very happy,” he said. “I’m taking my time and getting stronger to be ready.”

The 35-year-old Bejarano has won 28 riding titles in Southern California since arriving here from the Midwest in the fall of 2007. He has won seven titles at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting, but has not won a title since the autumn meeting at Santa Anita in 2016.

Bejarano has won 24 races this year. He finished seventh in the standings at the winter-spring meeting, which ended on April 9, with 29 wins.

Thursday, Bejarano has three mounts – True Valor in the fourth race, Stormin Monarcho in the seventh race, and Pulpacheeks in the eighth race.

Saturday, Bejarano is scheduled to ride Show It N Moe It in the $75,000 Angels Flight Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs. Bejarano rode Show It N Moe It to two wins in optional claimers at Santa Anita earlier this year.