David Flores making brief return to racing saddle

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – It’s not a comeback. It’s a cameo.

David Flores, who won 3,609 races as a jockey in a career that began in 1984, will ride his first horse in a year Sunday when he climbs aboard John’s Protege in the first race at Saratoga. John’s Protege is trained by Wesley Ward, for whom Flores has been exercising horses on and off for several years, including the last two meets at Saratoga.

“I can’t help myself,” Flores, 53, said between sets Friday morning at Saratoga. “I’ve been working all these horses, I see them win, where’s mine?”

John’s Protege is in with 119 pounds. Flores said he will likely ride at 122 pounds.

Flores, citing difficulties with maintaining weight, retired at the end of 2017. He rode eight horses in 2020 – all trained by him – winning one.

He stays in shape by getting on “at least” six or more horses every morning in Saratoga, he said.

“There are days when I get on 15,” Flores said.

Flores has gotten on John’s Protege regularly. Both Flores and Ward used the word “project” when describing the 2-year-old gelding by Tapiture who is running for a claiming price of $40,000 in his career debut.

“This horse is a little bit goofy,” Flores said.

“He’s a little bit of a project horse and David’s been the man putting the puzzle together,” said Ward, a former rider himself.

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When he rode regularly, Flores was based in Southern California. He’s had 10 previous mounts at Saratoga, his lone win coming in the Grade 1 Test in 2011 aboard Turbulent Descent.

“Time flies,” Flores said. “What a nice filly she was.”

Flores doesn’t train horses anymore. After this meet, he will return to Ocala, Fla., where he will break yearlings for the 2-year-old sales next year. Perhaps after that he’ll rejoin Ward in early 2022 and, if the opportunity presents itself, he’ll get another chance to ride one or two in the afternoon.

“Believe me, if there’s something good that comes and I have the opportunity to ride, I’m ready,” Flores said. “That’s not a problem.”