Fresu nearing return from injury

Jockey Antonio Fresu, who has not ridden since Dec. 28 because of injury, may return to riding at Santa Anita on the weekend of Jan. 30-Feb. 1, he said on Friday.

Fresu sustained a broken toe and severe cut on his left foot when his mount, Anmer Hall, struck the inside rail on the hillside turf course.

On Wednesday, Fresu underwent a procedure to have a stabilizing wire removed from the injured toe. The stabilizing wire was inserted to aid healing days after the incident.

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“Now, it’s about getting the swelling down and I’ll be ready to go,” Fresu said. “I’m trying for next weekend. It’s not sure. It all depends if the swelling goes down.”

Fresu underwent a physical therapy session on Friday, he said.

Initially, Fresu was expected to be absent for six weeks, but said immediately after the injury that he hoped to be back to riding sooner. A return on the weekend of Jan. 30 would mark slightly less than five weeks since the injury.

Fresu, 34, has taken a prominent role in California in the last year. He led the standings at the Santa Anita spring meeting from mid-April to mid-June last year, and finished second in the standings at the 2025 Del Mar summer and autumn meetings.

Fresu had two wins on Dec. 28 before the injury, including Hiding in Honduras in the Grade 2 Mathis Mile for 3-year-olds on turf.

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