Del Mar: Gomez cleared to ride on Saturday

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DEL MAR, Calif. - Garrett Gomez will resume riding on Saturday after receiving doctor’s clearance following recent treatment for alcoholism.

Gomez’s doctors told California Horse Racing Board officials on Thursday that Gomez was fit to resume riding, according to steward Tom Ward. In recent days, Gomez has undergone counseling for substance abuse and mental health issues with a psychiatrist in Newport Beach, Calif.

Thursday afternoon, Ward said that the racing board had received the required documents allowing Gomez to resume riding. Gomez was named to ride on a conditional basis from Wednesday through Friday, pending clearance from doctors.

Ward and fellow stewards Scott Chaney and Kim Sawyer granted Gomez’s reinstatement to ride early Thursday afternoon, and said the 41-year-old jockey would be allowed to exercise horses on Friday.

Gomez has been named to ride three of the nine races on Saturday, including Dice Flavor in the Grade 2 La Jolla Handicap.

[DEL MAR 2013: Complete meet coverage, schedule, race replays]

The Eclipse Award winner as the nation’s outstanding rider in 2007-08, Gomez has not ridden since July 14, and has ridden only four days since June 9 after undergoing treatment for alcoholism and to take time off to deal with family problems. On July 28, Gomez said that he was separated from his wife, Pam, and that divorce proceedings were underway.