Geroux named to ride Friday for first time since July 12
Star jockey Florent Geroux is named in one race Friday at Ellis Park, marking his first ride since announcing he had tested positive for the coronavirus. Geroux last rode on July 12.
Geroux once again ranks in the top 10 nationally in mount earnings this year with more than $5.7 million.
Meanwhile, a $40,000 third-level allowance (race 5) for filly-mare sprinters serves as the feature of a nine-race Friday card that starts at 12:50 p.m. Central. Irish Mischief is the 9-5 morning-line favorite for Cox and Bridgmohan. A second allowance goes as race 8.
McGaughey with a first
Reeve McGaughey, the 31-year-old son of Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey, recorded his first victory as a licensed trainer in his home state when he sent out first-timer Nathan Detroit to win a maiden-special turf mile last Saturday at Ellis for owner-breeder Joe Allen.
The younger McGaughey worked for years behind the scenes as an assistant to his uncle Charlie LoPresti during the Wise Dan era, before working several years for his father. He opened his stable over the winter at Oaklawn Park, where he ran his first winner on March 19.
“I’ve grown up around it,” said McGaughey, but “I don’t think you’re ever completely prepared for when it’s your name in the program versus somebody else’s, just the responsibility of it. But I think we’re starting to get the hang of it now, hopefully.”
Court not through yet
Although he hasn’t ridden since June 30 and is actively soliciting customers in a new real-estate endeavor, 59-year-old jockey Jon Court says he isn’t ready to hang up his saddle yet.
“I’m just addressing some minor physical issues that require some time,” Court said this week. “I need to be 100 percent when I return.”
In the meantime, he said, “I am experiencing what retirement would be like – and I’m nowhere near ready for that.”
Court has ridden 4,184 winners in a career dating to 1980.
◗ With 10 of 25 summer programs at Ellis complete, Rafael Bejarano leads all jockeys with 12 wins and Dane Kobiskie leads all trainers with six wins.