Geovanni Franco plans to be ready for Del Mar

CYPRESS, Calif. – Geovanni Franco, who has not ridden since June 24 because of a sprained knee, will resume riding at Del Mar on July 18, the track’s opening day of the summer meeting.

Franco, the second-leading rider at the Santa Anita spring-summer meeting, recently underwent an MRI test that revealed the sprain, according to his agent, James Giannone.

Franco exercised horses at Santa Anita on Wednesday and could have a mount at Los Alamitos on Sunday, the final day of that track’s summer meeting, Giannone said.

“There is a chance for Sunday,” he said. “I’m not going to press that issue. I’m trying to get one mount in him.”

Franco, 27, had 28 wins at the Santa Anita spring-summer meeting, 11 fewer than leader Flavien Prat. The knee became a concern in the final days of that meeting, which ended on June 24.

“It was a minor knee sprain,” Giannone said. “Everything seems to be fine. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”

On opening day, Franco’s mounts include Calexman in the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile on turf. Trained by Vladimir Cerin, Calexman won an allowance race with an $80,000 claiming option on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita on June 15 with Franco aboard.