Carmouche plans return to race-riding on Monday at Parx

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Jockey Kendrick Carmouche, who suffered a broken ankle in a riding mishap that occurred during the final race on Belmont Stakes Day, will return to the saddle next Monday at Parx Racing, according to his agent, Kevin Bubser.

“He probably could have come back and ridden the final couple of days at Saratoga, but the book was already out and we didn’t know exactly when he’d be able to return, and Kendrick didn’t want to come back here just to come back,” Bubser said. “He’ll ride Monday through Wednesday each of the next two weeks at Parx and be ready to return when Belmont reopens the following Thursday.”

Bubser said Carmouche began breezing horses again Sunday, working two horses for trainer Rob Atras and one for John Terranova.

Carmouche, who underwent surgery to repair his damaged ankle, was unseated from his mount, Kentucky Pharoah, shortly after the start of the finale on June 6 at Belmont and had his ankle stepped on by another horse while lying on the track. Carmouche was sidelined for six months after suffering a broken femur in an accident at Kentucky Downs in September 2018.

Carmouche was riding in top form at the time of his latest injury. In December, he rode his first Grade 1 winner, True Timber in the Cigar Mile, and several months later was aboard Bourbonic to upset the Grade 2 Wood Memorial at odds of 72-1. Carmouche also finished second, two wins behind Eric Cancel, in the jockey standings for the 2020-21 Aqueduct winter meet.