Franco's comeback delayed; hopeful for Santa Anita return

Jockey Geovanni Franco, who has not ridden since July 26 at Del Mar after sustaining a shoulder injury in a spill, will have a delayed return.

Franco is currently undergoing physical therapy on his knee that has taken longer than expected to respond to treatment, according to his agent Jack Carava. Franco has recovered from the shoulder injury, Carava said.

“He’s doing some physical therapy on his knee,” Carava said. “I think it will be a little longer, maybe another month. It’s a matter of going by how it feels for him.”

If Franco needs another month of treatment, he could return during the middle of the Santa Anita autumn meeting, which runs from Sept. 27 to Oct. 27.

Franco sustained a shoulder injury and swelling in a knee after he was unseated when his mount struck the inside rail in a turf race on July 26. Franco was aboard Smooth Salute who was hampered by a chain reaction of interference.

Franco, 33, has won 37 races this year and has 1,039 career wins.

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