Hollywood Park: Gomez will not ride this weekend as he continues to deal with personal issues

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Jockey Garrett Gomez will not ride in the two Grade 1 stakes at Betfair Hollywood Park on Saturday while continuing to deal with personal issues, his agent, Tony Matos, said on Wednesday.

Gomez’s absence could extend into July. Wednesday, trainer Craig Lewis said that he has arranged for jockey Joe Talamo to replace Gomez on Clubhouse Ride in the $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup on July 6, if Gomez has not returned.

Gomez took off his mounts on June 13, citing personal issues. On June 19, on his Twitter feed, Gomez said he was “working on his marriage.”

“He’s not going to ride Saturday,” Matos said. “It may be next week. I’m waiting for him to tell me. I’ll play it by ear.”

Gomez did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment on Wednesday.

Saturday, Gomez was expected to ride Jimmy Creed in the $250,000 Triple Bend Handicap for sprinters and Za Approval in the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile. Jimmy Creed will be ridden by Gary Stevens, while Victor Espinoza has gained the mount on Za Approval.

Gomez’s current absence comes a decade after he was out of racing while dealing with substance abuse issues. Last year, he published an autobiography that discussed the personal issues he has faced in his career.

Gomez, 41, has been one of the leading riders in Southern California in recent years, and a fixture in major stakes.

Gomez has won 61 races this year. His mounts have earned $4,417,119. Among his major wins are Clubhouse Ride in the Grade 2 Californian Stakes on June 1, and Beholder in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks and Las Virgenes Stakes earlier this year.