Cabrera will have first mounts since injury Friday at Lone Star
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – Jockey David Cabrera will launch his comeback Friday night at Lone Star Park. The rider is named on three horses in what will be his first mounts since April 8.
Cabrera will then head to Prairie Meadows on Saturday to ride three stakes before returning to Texas to ride the remainder of the Lone Star meet that closes July 24.
Cabrera has been sidelined by back and facial injuries since being thrown from a mount at Oaklawn. He has been rehabbing at home in Oklahoma, according to his agent, Jose Santos Jr., and received clearance to resume riding earlier than anticipated. It was believed his comeback would not come until late July at Prairie Meadows.
“We’re really excited,” said Santos, who has been Cabrera’s agent since 2018.
Cabrera won the Oaklawn jockey title, despite missing the final month of the meet. He is a past title winner at Lone Star and has won the last four titles at his home track of Remington Park.
“With the year he was having going into this, I really think he was riding as good as anybody right before he was injured,” Santos said. “He’s so excited to get back. He’s been in the gym. Anyone who knows David knows how dedicated he is. He’s coming back full force.”
Cabrera won the richest race of his career in March, when he guided Rated R Superstar to victory in the Grade 3, $500,000 Essex Handicap at Oaklawn. He will be aboard Rated R Superstar again Saturday night at Prairie Meadows, in the Grade 3, $300,000 Cornhusker Handicap.
Cabrera also will ride the fifth race, an allowance; the Grade 3 Iowa Oaks, aboard Nosilverspoonshere; and the Iowa Derby, aboard Big Blue Line.
Cabrera’s first mount back Friday night at Lone Star will be in the third race, aboard Lucky Promise. He also rides in the fifth and seventh races. Cabrera has another three mounts Sunday at Lone Star.