Franco tests positive for COVID-19, off mounts until at least Sunday

Jockey Manny Franco tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday and will not be permitted to ride until Sunday at the earliest, the New York Racing Association announced Wednesday.

Franco is the third New York-based rider in a week to test positive for COVID, joining Jorge Vargas Jr. and Jalon Samuel. Those two riders were forced to miss their mounts Saturday and Sunday at Aqueduct. Both are expected to return on Thursday provided they are asymptomatic.

:: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

According to NYRA, Franco was not experiencing symptoms and only got tested because of standard contact tracing following the positive tests of Vargas and Samuel on Dec. 31.

Provided he remains asymptomatic, Franco would be permitted to ride on Sunday.

Franco, the third-winningest rider on the NYRA circuit in 2021 with 183 wins, ranks fourth in the winter standings with 11 wins from 71 mounts through the first 12 days of the meet.

He was named on four horses at Aqueduct Thursday and five on Friday.

All members of the NYRA jockey colony are vaccinated and adhere to established protocols. In addition, the jockey quarters at Aqueduct has been substantially altered to provide maximum physical distancing, according to a NYRA release.