Belmont: Friend or Foe ready to resume training in Florida

Friend or Foe, last year’s Empire Classic winner who was sidelined in the summer due to an ankle injury, will resume training next week in Ocala, Fla., trainer John Kimmel said Wednesday.

Friend or Foe has been walking under tack and will start full training next week before joining Kimmel’s south Florida barn at Palm Meadows in mid-November.

Kimmel hopes to have Friend or Foe back to the races sometime during the Gulfstream Park meet.

Castro released from hospital

Jockey Eddie Castro, injured in a spill at Belmont last Saturday, was released from North Shore University Hospital on Wednesday and will be out of action a minimum of three months, according to his agent, Mike Gonzalez.

Castro sustained a hairline fracture of his lower back and will have to wear a back brace for an indefinite period of time. After consulting with his doctor, Thomas Murray, next Monday, Castro will return to his residence in south Florida to do his rehabilitation.

“He’s in good spirits,’’ Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez also praised Pamela Liarikos, NYRA’s jockey advocate, for helping coordinate the care for Castro.